Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Violet. Year: C(I).

First reading
Isaiah 1:10, 16-20

‘Learn to do good; seek justice.’

Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 50(49):8-9. 16b-17. 21, 23. ℟23b

To one whose way is blameless,

I will show the salvation of God.

I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices;

your offerings are always before me.

I do not take more bullocks from your farms,

nor goats from among your herds.

To one whose way is blameless,

I will show the salvation of God.

How can you recite my commandments,

and take my covenant on your lips,

you who despise correction,

and cast my words behind you?

To one whose way is blameless,

I will show the salvation of God.

You do this, and should I keep silence?

Do you think that I am like you?

I accuse you, lay the charge before you.

A sacrifice of praise gives me honour,

and to one whose way is blameless,

I will show the salvation of God.

To one whose way is blameless,

I will show the salvation of God.

Gospel Acclamation	Ezekiel 18:31

Glory to you, O Christ, Wisdom of God the Father.

Cast away from you all your transgressions, says the Lord,

and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Glory to you, O Christ, Wisdom of God the Father.

Gospel	Matthew 23:1-12

‘They preach, but do not practise.’

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practise. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.’

The readings on this page are from the English Standard Version, which is used at Mass in Great Britain. The Jerusalem Bible (which is used at Mass in much of the English-speaking world) will appear instead if you set this page to use a calendar from outside Great Britain. The New American Bible readings, which are used at Mass in the United States, are available in the Universalis apps, programs and downloads.

You can also view this page with the New Testament in Greek and English.