The Fifth Sunday of Lent / Passion Sunday

1.) OLD ROMAN LECTIONARY

Introit

(Ps. 42 [43]:1-2a, 3)

Judge me, O God, and defend my cause against an unholy nation; deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man, for you are my God and my strength.
Send forth your light and your truth; they have led me, and brought me to your holy mountain, and into your tabernacles.
(The Gloria Patri is omitted)
Judge me, O God...

Epistle

(Hebrews 9:11-15)

Brethren:
Christ, when He came, as a High Priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), He entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, and so He Himself obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works to worship the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the New Covenant, so that, since a death having occurred for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gradual

(Ps. 142 [143]:9a, 10a; 17 [18]:48, 49)

Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; teach me to do your will.
V: You are my deliverer, O Lord, from the angry nations. You will lift me up above those who rise up against me; you will deliver me from the unjust man.

Tract

(Ps. 128 [129]:1-4)

"Often have they attacked me from my youth."
V: Let Israel now say, "Often have they attacked me from my youth;"
V: "Yet they could not prevail against me; the wicked have wrought upon my back."
V: "They have lengthened their iniquities; the LORD who is just will cut the necks of sinners."

Gospel

(John 8:46-59)

At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Judeans, "Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." Then the Judeans answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?"
Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father – and you dishonor me. I am not seeking my glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Amen, Amen, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death for ever."
Therefore the Judeans said to Him, "Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, 'If anyone keeps my word he will never taste of death for ever.' You are not greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? And the prophets are dead - whom do you make yourself out to be?"
Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. The one who glorifies me is my Father, He of whom you say, 'He is our God,' yet you have not known Him, but I know Him; if I say, 'I do not know him,' I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad."
Then the Judeans said to Him, "You do not yet have fifty years, and have you seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, Amen I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM!" Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the Temple.

Offertory

(Psalm 138:1; 118 [119]:17, 25b)

I offer you thanks, Lord, with all my heart; be kind to your servant so that I might live and keep your word; grant me life in accordance with your word, O Lord.

Communion

(1 Corinthians 11:24, 25)

"This is my body which is given for you; this cup is the new covenant in My blood," says the Lord. "Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

2.) NEW ROMAN LECTIONARY, Year B

First Reading

(Jeremiah 31:31-34)

"Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them," says the LORD.
"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days," says the LORD. "I will put My law within their bowels and write it on their hearts; and I shall be their God, and they shall be my people. They shall not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," says the LORD; "for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more."

Responsorial Psalm

(Psalm 51 [50]:3-4, 12-13, 14-15 [1-2, 10-11, 12-13])

R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
According to your great mercy wipe away my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit in my inner being.
Do not cast me away from before you,
And do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
And with a willing spirit sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Second Reading

(Hebrew 5:7-9)

Brethren: in the days of His flesh Christ Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His godly fear. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through the things He suffered; and having been perfected, He became the Source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

Gospel

(John 12:20-33)

There were some Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast of the Passover. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and were asking him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; and Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, Amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life destroys it, and he who hates his life in this world keeps it for eternal life. If anyone wants to serve me, he must follow me, and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him my Father will honor.
"Now my soul is restless, and what should I say — 'Father, deliver me from this hour?' No, but for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him!"
Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come for my sake but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world - now the ruler of this world will be thrown out! And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself" (This He said to indicate by what death He would die).

The Fourth Sunday of Lent

1.) OLD ROMAN LECTIONARY

Introit

(cf. Isaiah 66:10, 11; Ps. 121 [122]:1)

Rejoice, Jerusalem, and come together all you that love her; rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow, that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolations.
I rejoiced in the things that were said to me: "We shall go into the house of the Lord."
V: Glory to the Father...
Rejoice, Jerusalem...

Epistle

(Galatians 4:22-31; 5:1a)

Brethren:
It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. But he of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are spoken about allegorically. For these are the two covenants: one is from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage; this is Hagar. For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in bondage with her children – but the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate are more numerous than those of she who has a husband."
Now we, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now. But what does the scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son; for the son of the slave will not share the inheritance with the son" of the free woman. Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman; and this is the freedom with which Christ has set us free.

Gradual

(Ps. 121 [122]:1, 7)

I rejoiced in the things that were said to me: "We shall go into the house of the Lord."
V: Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your towers!

Tract

(Ps. 124 [125]:1-2)

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion; he who dwells in Jerusalem shall not be moved forever.
V: Mountains surround it; and the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forward and even forever.

Gospel

(John 6:1-15)

At that time Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee - which is the Sea of Tiberias. A great multitude was following Him because they were observing the signs He was performing on the sick. So Jesus went on up the mountainside and there He sat down with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.
Then Jesus, when He lifted up His eyes, and saw a great multitude coming to Him, said to Philip, "Where can we buy bread that these may eat?" (But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He was going to do). Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for each one to get a little."
One of His disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to Him, "There is a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many?" Jesus said, "Make the people recline." (Now there was much grass in the place.)
So the men reclined, in number about five thousand. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to those reclining; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were all satisfied, He said to his disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
Then those people, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!" Then Jesus, because He knew they were going to come and seize Him by force to make Him king, departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

Offertory

(Ps. 134 [135]:3, 6)

Praise the LORD, for He is good; sing to His name, for it is sweet. All things whatsoever that He willed, He did in heaven and on earth.

Communion

(Ps. 121:4, 5 [122:3 ,4])

Jerusalem has been built as a city, a city which is joined to her together. For to that place the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD: the testimony of Israel to praise the name of the LORD.

2.) NEW ROMAN LECTIONARY, Year B

Reading 1

(2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23)

In those days, [all the leaders of Judah, and] all the priests and the people added infidelity to infidelity, following all the abominations of the nations; and they defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. And the LORD God of their fathers sent persistently to them by the hand of His messengers, getting up early and sending, for He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising His words, and ridiculing His prophets, until the anger of the LORD went up against His people until there was no healer.
They burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious vessels, and those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had accepted its sabbaths. All the days of the desolation it kept sabbath to fulfill the seventy years.
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,

"Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD God of the heavens has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up!"

Responsorial Psalm

(Psalm 137 [136]:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6)

R. (6ab) Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sit down, also we weep when we remember Zion.
On the poplars in her midst we hang up our harps.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
For our captors there ask us for the words of a song, and our tormentors ask for mirth, saying, "Sing for us a song about Zion!"
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
How can we sing a song of the LORD in a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget!
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you – If I do not lift up Jerusalem over the top of my joy.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

Reading II

(Ephesians 2:4-10)

Brethren:
God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! – and raised us up together, and seated us together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not from works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we might walk in them.

Gospel

(John 3:14-21)

Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever is believing in Him may not perish but may have eternal life, for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest their deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been done in God."

The Third Sunday of Lent

1.) OLD ROMAN LECTIONARY

Introit

(Ps. 24 [25]:15, 16; 1, 2)

My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for He will pluck my feet out from a net; turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor.
To you, O LORD, I have lifted up my soul; In you, O my God, I trust; do not let me be put to shame.
V: Glory to the Father...
My eyes are ever toward the LORD...

Epistle

(Ephesians 5:1-9)

Brethren, be imitators of God as dearly loved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweetness. But fornication and all impurity or greed, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither obscenity, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which is to no purpose, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disbelief. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth.

Gradual

(Psalm 9:20, 4 [19, 3])

Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in your sight.
V: When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at your presence.

Tract

(Ps. 122[123]:1-3a)

To you have I lifted up my eyes, Who dwells in heaven.
V: Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hand of their masters;
V: And as the eyes of a handmaid to the hand of her mistress, so are our eyes to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us.
V: Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us!

Gospel

(Luke 11:14-28)

At that time Jesus was casting out a devil, and it was mute. And it happened that when the demon had gone out that the mute spoke, and the multitudes were amazed. But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons." Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven.
But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and house falls on house. So if Satan also is divided against himself how will his kingdom stand? —because you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebub. Now if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and conquers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places seeking rest; and finding none he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it swept clean and put in order. Then he goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."
And it happened that as He said these things that a certain woman in the crowd lifted up her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts at which you nursed!" But He said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it."

Offertory

(cf. Ps. 18 [19]:9-11)

The justices of the LORD are right, rejoicing hearts: and His judgments are sweeter than honey and the honeycomb; for your servant keeps them.

Communion

(Ps. 83:4-5 [84:3-4])

The sparrow has found a home, and the turtledove a nest for herself, where she may lay her young: your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they shall praise you forever and ever.

2.) NEW ROMAN LECTIONARY, Year B

1st Reading

(Exodus 20:1-17 or 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17)

In those days, God delivered all these commandments:
"I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves; you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the sons to the third and fourth generations of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments.
"You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His Name in vain.
"Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart as holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work — you, your son or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or the alien who is in your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
"You shall not murder.
"You shall not commit adultery.
"You shall not steal.
"You shall not answer as a lying witness against your neighbor.
"You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor."

Responsorial Psalm

(Psalm 19 [18]:8, 9, 10, 11)

R. (John 6:68c) Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and altogether righteous.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
More to be desired are they than gold, than much pure gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
Moreover your servant is warned by them; in the keeping of them there is great reward.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

2nd Reading

(1 Corinthians 1:22-25)

Brothers and sisters:
Jews demand signs and Greeks ask for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Gospel

(John 2:13-25)

Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables. And He made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.
And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Stop making my Father’s House a house of trade!" Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house will devour me."
Then the Judeans answered and said to Him, "What sign can you show to us since you are doing these things?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
Then the Judeans said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" But He was speaking of the temple of His body; so after He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He was doing. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and He did not need anyone to testify about man, for He knew what was in man.

The Second Sunday of Lent

1.) OLD ROMAN LECTIONARY

Introit

(Ps. 24:6, 3, 22; 1, 2)

Remember, O LORD, your mercies and your steadfast love, for they are from of old. Do not let our enemies triumph over us; deliver us, O God of Israel, from all our distress.
To you, O LORD, I have lifted up my soul; in you, my God, I trust. Let me not be put to shame!
V: Glory be to the Father...
Remember, O LORD...

Epistle

(1 Thessalonians 4:1-7)

Brethren:
We urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God (just as you actually do walk), that you should abound more and more; for you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality, that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in holiness and honor; not in passion of lust like the gentiles who do not know God; and that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the Avenger of all these things, as we also told you earlier and have all testified. For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.

Gradual

(Ps. 24 [25]:17, 18)

The troubles of my heart have been multiplied; deliver me from my necessities, O LORD.
V: See my abjection and my hardship, and release all my sins.

Tract

(Ps. 105 [106]:1-4)

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy is forever.
V: Who will declare the powers of the LORD? Who will set forth all His praises?
V: Blessed are those who keep judgment, and do righteousness at all times!
V: Remember us, O LORD, in the favor of your people; visit us with your salvation.

Gospel

(Matt. 17:1-9)

At that time Jesus took Peter, and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here! If you want, let us make here three booths – one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" And when the disciples heard this, they fell down on their faces and were greatly terrified. And Jesus came and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid." When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but only Jesus.
And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."

Offertory

(cf. Ps. 118 [119]:47-48)

I will meditate on your commandments, which I exceedingly loved; and I will lift my hands to your commandments which I love.

Communion

(cf. Ps. 5:2b-4a)

Understand my cry; hearken to the voice of my prayer, my King and my God; for to you will I pray, O LORD.

2.) NEW ROMAN LECTIONARY

First Reading

(Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18)

God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" and he said, "Here I am."
He said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will say to you."
When they came to the place God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and placed the wood in order. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife in order to slaughter his son. But the messenger of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
He said, "Do not extend your hand toward the boy! Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me."
And Abraham lifted his eyes and saw - and behold - behind him a ram caught in the bushes by its horns. So Abraham went and got the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
Then the messenger of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "'By myself I swear' - an oracle of the LORD - 'that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your seed shall take possession of the gates of their enemies; by your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.'"

Responsorial Psalm

(Psalm 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19)

R: (116:9) I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
I believed, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted."
Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of His godly ones.
R: I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
O LORD, I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; You have loosed my bonds.
To You I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the LORD.
R: I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people,
In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
R: I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Second Reading

(Romans 8:31b-34)

Brethren:
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for us all – how will He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
Who is he who will condemn? Christ [Jesus] is the one who died (yes, who was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.

Gospel

(Mark 9:2-10)

Jesus took Peter, and James, and John and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His clothes became gleaming exceedingly white, that a fuller on the earth is not able to whiten.
And Elijah appeared before them along with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
And answering, Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here, and let us make three booths — one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah" (for he did not know what to answer because they were very frightened). And there was a cloud overshadowing them, and there was a voice from the cloud, "This is my Son, the Beloved; hear Him!"
And suddenly when they looked around they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
And as they were coming down out of the mountain, He ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen except when the Son of Man should rise from the dead. And they kept the word, discussing among themselves what 'rising from the dead' meant.

The First Sunday of Lent

1.) OLD ROMAN LECTIONARY

Introit

(Ps. 90 [91]:15a, 16, 1)

He will call out to me, and I will hear him; I will deliver him and glorify him; I will satisfy him with length of days.
He who dwells with the aid of the Most High, will abide under the protection of the God of Heaven.
V: Glory be to the Father...
He will call out to me...

Epistle

(2 Cor. 6:1-10)

Brethren:
We urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the 'acceptable time'; behold, now is 'the day of salvation'!
Giving no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed, but in all things commending ourselves as ministers of God in great patience, in afflictions, in hardships, in calamities, in stripes, in imprisonments, in rebellions, in troubles, in vigilance, in fasting;
in chastity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love;
in the Word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left;
by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet known; as dying. and behold. we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, but always rejoicing; as poor, but making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Gradual

(Psalm 90 [91]:11-12)

God has given His angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways.
V: They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Tract

(Psalm 90 [91]:1-7, 11-16)

He who dwells with the aid of the Most High, will abide under the protection of the God of Heaven.
V: He will say to the LORD, "You are my protector and my refuge; my God, in Him will I trust;
V: "For he has delivered me from the snare of the hunters and from the harsh word."
V: He will overshadow you with His shoulders; and you will trust under His wings.

V: His truth will surround you with a shield; you will not be afraid of the terror of the night;
V: Of the arrow that flies by day, of the troubles that wander in darkness; nor of invasion and the midday demon.
V: A thousand will fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not draw near you.
V: For He has given His angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways.
V: They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
V: You will walk over the asp and the basilisk, and you will trample underfoot the lion and the dragon.
V: "Because he hoped in me I will deliver him; I will protect him because he has known my Name.
V: "He will call out to me, and I will hear him; I am with him in tribulation."
V: "I will deliver him and glorify him; I will satisfy him with length of days, and show him my salvation."

Gospel

(Matt. 4:1-11)

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written: 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Then the devil took him to the holy city, and he stood Him on the highest point of the temple and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning you,' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not put the LORD your God to the test.'"
Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to Him, "All these things I will give you if, falling down, you will worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and serve only Him'."
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Offertory

(Ps. 90:4, 5a)

The LORD will overshadow you with His shoulders; and you will trust under His wings; His truth will surround you with a shield.

Communion

(Ps. 90:4, 5a)

2.) NEW ROMAN LECTIONARY, Year B

First Reading

(Genesis 9:8-15)

God said to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, "I – behold – I confirm my covenant with you and with your seed after you, and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the beasts, and every living creature of the earth with you, all that comes out of the ark – every living creature of the earth. I confirm my covenant with you: Never again will all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and between you and every living creature with you, for future generations: I set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. It will be, when I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow is seen in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant which is between me and between you and with all living creatures of all flesh. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all flesh."

Responsorial Psalm

(Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6-7b, 8-9)

R. (cf. 10) Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Make known to me your ways, O LORD; Teach me your paths,
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Remember, O LORD, your mercies and your steadfast love, for they are from of old.
According to Your mercy remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD. R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Good and just is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble His way.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.

Second Reading

(1 Peter 3:18-22)

Beloved:
Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who were once disobedient when the patience of God patiently waited in the days of Noah, while an ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight souls, were delivered through water; and the antitype of which – baptism – now saves you (not a removal of the dirt of the flesh but an appeal for a good conscience towards God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels and authorities and powers made subject to Him.

Gospel

(Mark 1:12-15)

The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, and He was in the wilderness forty days, being tested by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.

And after John had been handed over, Jesus came to Galilee preaching the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the good news!"

February 25, 2009 - Ash Wednesday

1.) OLD ROMAN LECTIONARY

Introit

(Wisdom 11:24, 25, 27; Psalm 56:2 [57:1])

You have mercy upon all, O Lord, and loathe nothing that you have made, overlooking the sins of men for the sake of repentance and sparing them, for you are the Lord our God.
Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me! for my soul trusts in you.
V: Glory be to the Father...
You have mercy upon all, O Lord...

Epistle

(Joel 2:12-19)

Thus says the LORD:
Turn to me with all your heart - with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the LORD, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and great in loyal love, and He relents from calamity.
Who knows if He will return and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a solemn assembly!
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation!
Assemble the elders, gather the children and those who suck the breasts;
Let the bridegroom go out from his room, and the bride from her chamber.
Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the vestibule and the altar.
Let them say, 'Spare your people, O LORD, and do not give your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, "Where is their God?"'

The LORD has been zealous for His land, and had pity on His people.
The LORD answered and said to His people, "Behold! I am sending grain to you and new wine and oil, and you will be fully satisfied; and I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations," says the LORD almighty.

Gradual

(Psalm 56:2, 4 [57:1, 3])

Have mercy on me, O God; have mercy on me! For my soul trusts in You.
V: He sends from heaven and delivers me, He has put to shame those who trample on me.

Tract

(Psalm 102 [103]:10; Psalm 78 [79]:8, 9)

LORD, do not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
V: LORD, remember not our former iniquities; let your mercies quickly confront us, for we have become very poor.
(Here kneel)
V: Help us, O God, our Savior; and for the glory of your Name, O LORD, deliver us; and forgive us our sins for your Name's sake.

Gospel

(Matthew 6:16-21)

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites who put on gloomy faces, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Amen I tell you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not consume and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be."

Offertory

(Psalm 29:2-3 [30:1-2])

I will extol You, O LORD, for you lifted me up, and did not let my enemies rejoice over me;
O LORD, my God, I cried out to you, and you healed me.

Communion

(Psalm 1:2, 3)

He who meditates on the Law of the LORD day and night, shall bring forth his fruit in due season.

2.) NEW ROMAN LECTIONARY

First Reading

(Joel 2:12-18)

Psalm

(Psalm 51 [50]:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17 [1-2, 3-4a, 10-11, 12 and 15])

R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Thoroughly wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever in front of me.
Against you – only you – have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your Presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O LORD, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

Second Reading

(2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:2)

Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us. We plead with you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. For He made Him who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we would become the righteousness of God in Him. Working together, then, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the 'acceptable time'; behold, now is 'the day of salvation'!

Gospel

(Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18)

Jesus said to His disciples, "Be careful not to display your righteousness before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"Thus, whenever you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Amen I tell you, they have their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your alms may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Amen, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

"And when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites who put on gloomy faces, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Amen I tell you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you."

3.) MOZARABIC LECTIONARY
(Feria Quarta in Capite Jejunii)

Prophecy

(Proverbs 1:23-32)

Son:
Give heed to my reproof; I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known.
Because I have called and you refused; I have stretched out my hand and no one heeded.
You disdained all my counsel, and neglected my reproof.
I will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when your dread comes;
When your dread comes like a whirlwind, and your disaster comes like a storm; when distress and trouble come upon you;
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will rise in the morning, but they will not find me.
Because they have hated instruction, and did not choose the fear of the LORD, nor consented to my counsel, but despised all my reproof.
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own fancies.
The turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacemency of fools will destroy them.

Psallendo

(cf. Isaiah 1:17a)

Behold, the day of the Lord shall come, with great alms and fasting: be prepared to do good to the oppressed, the widows and the orphans.
P: That you may receive a reward in the last days, says the Lord.
V: Learn to do well, seek judgment, relieve the oppressed.
P: That you may receive a reward...

Epistle

(James 1:13-21)

Beloved:
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God", for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Having willed, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Understand this, my dear brethren! Let every man be swift to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Gospel

(Matthew 4:1-11)

At that time, our Lord Jesus Christ was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written: 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Then the devil took him to the holy city, and he stood Him on the highest point of the temple and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning you,' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not put the LORD your God to the test.'"
Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to Him, "All these things I will give you if, falling down, you will worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and serve only Him'."
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Lauda

(Psalm 105 [106]:4)

Alleluia.
V: Remember us, O LORD, in the favor of your people: visit us, o our God, with your salvation.
P: Alleluia.

Sacrificium

This day, prayer shall make you holy; and shall humble your souls; direct your burnt offering to the Lord your God.

Ad accedentes

(Psalm 33:9, 2, 23 [34:8, 1, 22])

Taste and see that the LORD is good; Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
V: I will bless the LORD at all times; continually will His praise be in my mouth.
P: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
V: The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
P: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
V: Glory and honor to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
P: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima

Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima Sundays. Doubtless these names are unfamiliar to many of us born after the 1970 reforms to the Liturgy. What exactly are these three Sundays, anyway?

Septuagesima comes from the Latin word for "seventieth," with Sexagesima and Quinquagesima equalling "sixtieth" and "fiftieth" respectively. They are patterned after the Latin word for the season of Lent, Quadragesima, which means "fortieth" because Lent is forty days long (not counting the Sundays, which are all considered little Easters). Because a week is only seven days long, not ten, and since even then only six of those days might be counted if the pattern of Quadragesima is followed, Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima obviously don't literally correspond to the periods of time they imply.

The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday was intended to be observed as a preparation for the season of Lent, which is itself a period of spiritual preparation for Easter. In many countries, however, Septuagesima Sunday still marks the traditional start of the carnival season, culminating on Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as Mardi Gras (literally Fat Tuesday, because it was the last possible opportunity where one could hold a feast and indulge oneself before the onset of Lent).

In the pre-1970 Roman liturgy, the Alleluia ceases to be said during the liturgy, effective at Compline on the Saturday before Septuagesima Sunday, not to be sung again until Easter. Likewise, violet vestments are worn, except on feasts, from Septuagesima Sunday until Holy Thursday. As during Advent and Lent, the Gloria and Te Deum are no longer said on Sundays.

Because of this temporary discontinuance of the Alleluia in liturgical functions, the liturgical office on the eve of Septuagesima was performed in many churches with special solemnity, and Alleluias were freely inserted in the sacred text (the Roman Breviary notes that after the "Benedicamus" of Vespers two Alleluias are to be added, instead of the usual one), even to the number of 28 final alleluias in the church of Auxerre in France.

This custom also inspired some poems which were sung or recited during Vespers in honor of the sacred word. The best-known of these hymns is Alleluia, dulce carmen (Alleluia, Song of Gladness), composed by an unknown author of the 10th century.

In fact, in a number of places (such as in some areas of France or Germany) during the Middle Ages, there was also developed an elaborate ritual called the "burial of the Alleluia", in which the Alleluia was symbolically "buried". We find the following from a 15th century statute book of the Church of Toul:

On Saturday before Septuagesima Sunday all choir boys gather in the sacristy during the prayer of the None, to prepare for the burial of the Alleluia. After the last Benedicamus they march in procession, with crosses, tapers, holy water and censers; and they carry a coffin, as in a funeral. Thus they process through the aisle, moaning and mourning, until they reach the cloister. There they bury the coffin; they sprinkle it with holy water and incense it; whereupon they return to the sacristy by the same way.

In Paris, meanwhile, a straw effigy bearing in golden letters the inscription "Alleluia" was brought out the church yard and burned. In other areas, a banner or a scroll carrying the word was taken out and hidden or buried. While this custom had largely disappeared, some Lutheran churches preserve it, practicing it on the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday (Transfiguration Sunday according to the Lutheran calendar).

In other liturgical rites the situation is a bit different. In the Ambrosian Rite, practiced in Milan and surrounding areas, there are three pre-lenten Sundays as in the Roman Rite (also named Septuagesima, Sexagesima and Quinquagesima), but these are only semi-penitential: during Sunday Masses the Gloria and the Hallelujah (the preferred spelling of Alleluia in the Rite) are retained. As there is no Ash Wednesday in the Ambrosian Rite, the liturgical Lent, with its use of litanies (the Divinae Pacis and the Dicamus Omnes) on Sundays instead of the Gloria in Excelsis and the disuse of Hallelujah, began on the first Sunday, with the fast commencing on Monday.

In the Mozarabic Rite (Spain), meanwhile, nine Sundays are given after the feast of the Epiphany, the last being called Dominica ante Cineres ("Sunday before the Ashes") or Dominica ante Carnes Tollendas ("Sunday before the Farewell to Meat"), the rest being numbered one to eight "Post octavam Epiphaniae" ("After the Octave of the Epiphany"). Ash Wednesday ("Feria Quarta In Capite Jejunii") is an evident late Roman borrowing, rather clumsily inserted, since the Sunday that follows, though called "Dominica prima Quadragesimae" ("First Sunday of Lent"), has a Mass and an Office in which Alleluia is used, and at Vespers there is the well-known "Endless Alleluia" (Alleluia Perenne) hymn. In the Mozarabic Hymnal this hymn is entitled "Ymnus in carnes tollendas" ("Hymn at the Farewell to Meat"). The true liturgical Lent does not begin till the Monday after Ash Wednesday, as was originally the case in the Ambrosian. The post-revision Rite however seems to have dropped Ash Wednesday and now considers Lent to begin with the First Sunday of Lent in Carnes tollendas, which can occur somewhere between February 11 to March 14, depending on the year.

READINGS FOR THE THREE SUNDAYS (from the pre-1970 Missal)

1.) Septuagesima Sunday (Missa Circumdederunt Me)

Introit: Psalm 17:5-7, 2-3 (8:4-6; 1-2)
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:1-5
Gradual: Psalm 9:9-10, 18
Tract: Psalm 129:1-4 (130:1-4)
Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

2.) Sexagesima Sunday (Missa Exsurge)

Introit: Psalm 43:23-26, 2 (44:23-26, 1)
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9
Gradual: Psalm 82:19, 14 (83:18, 13)
Tract: Psalm 129:1-4 (130:1-4)
Gospel: Luke 8:4-15

3.) Quinquagesima Sunday (Missa Esto Mihi)

Introit: Psalm 30:3-4, 2 (31:2-3, 1)
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Gradual: Psalm 76:15, 16 (77:14, 15)
Tract: Psalm 99:1, 2 (100:1, 2)
Gospel: Luke 18:31-43