Saturday in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING
The Lord made man in his own image.
A reading from the Book of Sirach (Sirach 17:1- 13)

The Lord created man out of earth, and made him into his own image;
he turned him back into earth again, but clothed him in strength like his own.
He gave to men few days, a limited time, but granted them authority
over the things upon the earth. He placed the fear of them in all flesh,
and granted them dominion over beasts and birds. He made for them discretion,
with a tongue and eyes and ears; he gave them a mind for thinking,
and filled them with the discipline of discernment. He created in them
the knowledge of the spirit; he filled their hearts with understanding,
and showed them good and evil. He placed the fear of him into their hearts,
showing them the majesty of his works. He made them glory in his wondrous deeds,
that they might praise his holy name, to proclaim the grandeur of his works.
He bestowed knowledge upon them, and allotted to them the law of life.
He established with them an eternal covenant, and showed them his justice
and his judgements. Their eyes saw his glorious majesty, and their ears heard the glory
of his voice. And he said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.”
And he gave commandment to each of them concerning his neighbour.
Their ways are always before him, they will not be hid from his eyes.

The word of the Lord.

 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 103: 13- 14.15-16.17-18a (R. 17ab)
R/. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

As a father has compassion on his children,
the Lord’s compassion is on those who fear him.
For he knows of what we are made;
he remembers that we are dust. R/.

Man, his days are like grass;
he flowers like the flower of the field.
The wind blows, and it is no more,
and its place never sees it again. R/.

R/. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

But the mercy of the Lord is everlasting
upon those who hold him in fear,
upon children’s children his justice,
for those who keep his covenant. R/.

 

ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25
Alleluia.

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.

Alleluia.

 

GOSPEL
“Who ever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 10:13-16)

At that time: They were bringing children to Jesus, that he might touch them;
and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it he was indignant,
and said to them, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them;
for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you,
whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

The Gospel of the Lord.