Readings at Mass

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

First reading
2 Corinthians 9:6-11

‘God loves a cheerful giver.’

Brothers and Sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever.’

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 112(111):1-2. 3-4. 9. ℟1a

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or: Alleluia.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord,

who takes great delight in his commandments.

His descendants shall be powerful on earth;

the generation of the upright will be blest.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or: Alleluia.

Riches and wealth are in his house;

his justice stands firm for ever.

A light rises in the darkness for the upright;

he is generous, merciful and just.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or: Alleluia.

Open-handed, he gives to the poor;

his justice stands firm for ever.

His might shall be exalted in glory.

Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

or: Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation	John 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia.

If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord,

and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.

Alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

‘Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

‘Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

‘And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

‘And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’

How to listen

Christian Art

Each day, The Christian Art website gives a picture and reflection on the Gospel of the day.

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.