March 7th : Gospel They do not practise what they preachA Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St.Matthew 23:1-12

March 7th :  Gospel 

They do not practise what they preach

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St.Matthew 23:1-12 

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

  ‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’

The Word of the Lord.

March 7th : Responsorial PsalmPsalm 49(50):8-9,16-17,21,23 I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

March 7th :  Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 49(50):8-9,16-17,21,23 

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

‘I find no fault with your sacrifices,

  your offerings are always before me.

I do not ask more bullocks from your farms,

  nor goats from among your herds.

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

‘But how can you recite my commandments

  and take my covenant on your lips,

you who despise my law

  and throw my words to the winds,

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

‘You do this, and should I keep silence?

  Do you think that I am like you?

A sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me

  and I will show God’s salvation to the upright.’

I will show God’s salvation to the upright.

Gospel Acclamation Mt4:17

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Repent, says the Lord,

for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.

Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

March 7th : First ReadingCease to do evil; learn to do goodA Reading from the Book of Isaiah 1:10,16-20

March 7th :  First Reading

Cease to do evil; learn to do good

A Reading from the Book of Isaiah 1:10,16-20 

Hear the word of the Lord,

you rulers of Sodom;

listen to the command of our God,

you people of Gomorrah.

‘Wash, make yourselves clean.

Take your wrong-doing out of my sight.

Cease to do evil.

Learn to do good,

search for justice,

help the oppressed,

be just to the orphan,

plead for the widow.

‘Come now, let us talk this over,

says the Lord.

Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.

‘If you are willing to obey,

you shall eat the good things of the earth.

But if you persist in rebellion,

the sword shall eat you instead.’

The Word of the Lord.