Weekdays | Ordinary Time IV

For the Weekdays of Ordinary Time the Lectionary has a two year cycle of readings — I and II. The Gospel reading is common to both cycles; the First Reading and Psalm are different. As a rule Year I corresponds to odd-numbered years (2015, 2017 etc.) and Year II to even-numbered years.

Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Colour
Green
Mass
Preface of Weekdays
Office
Psalter Week IV
Monday
Reading (I)Exodus 14:5-18When I have won glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh, the Egyptians will learn that I am the Lord.
Psalm (I)Exodus 15:1-6 r.1I will sing to the Lord, glorious his triumph.
Reading (II)Micah 6:1-4. 6-8It has been explained to you, man, what the Lord asks of you.
Psalm (II)Ps 49:5-6. 8-9. 16-17. 21. 23. r.23I will show God’s salvation to the upright.
Gospel Acclamation2 Timothy 1:10Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death,

and he has proclaimed life through the Good News.
Ps 94:8Harden not your heart today,

but listen to the voice of the Lord.
GospelMatthew 12:38-42The Queen of the South will rise up with his generation and condemn it.
Tuesday
Reading (I)Exodus 14:21-15:1The sons of Israel went on dry ground right into the sea.
Psalm (I)Exodus 15:8-10. 12. 17. r.1I will sing to the Lord, glorious his triumph.
Reading (II)Micah 7:14-15. 18-20To the bottom of the sea throw all our sins.
Psalm (II)Ps 84:2-8. r.8Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
Gospel Acclamation1 John 2:5When anyone obeys what Christ has said,

God’s love comes to perfection in him.
John 14:23If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.
GospelMatthew 12:46-50Stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers.’
Wednesday
Reading (I)Exodus 16:1-5. 9-15I will rain down bread for you from the heavens.
Psalm (I)Ps 77:18-19. 23-28. r.24The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 1:1. 4-10I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.
Psalm (II)Ps 70:1-6. 15. 17. r.15My lips will tell of your justice, O Lord.
Gospel AcclamationPs 118:29. 35Bend my heart to your will, O Lord,

and teach me your law.
 The seed is the word of God, Christ the sower;

whoever finds this seed will remain for ever.
GospelMatthew 13:1-9It produced crop a hundredfold.
Thursday
Reading (I)Exodus 19:1-2. 9-11. 16-20The Lord will descend on the mountains of Sinai in the sight of all the people.
Psalm (I)Daniel 3:52-56. r.52You are blest, Lord God of our fathers.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 2:1-3. 7-8. 12-13My people have abandoned me, the fountain of living water, only to dig cisterns for themselves, leaky cisterns that hold no water.
Psalm (II)Ps 35:6-11. r.10In you, Lord, is the source of life.
Gospel AcclamationPs 94:8Harden not your heart today,

but listen to the voice of the Lord.
Matthew 11:25Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
GospelMatthew 13:10-17The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revealed to you, but they are not revealed to them.
Friday
Reading (I)Exodus 20:1-17The law was given through Moses.
Psalm (I)Ps 18:8-11. r. John 6:68Lord, you have the message of eternal life.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 3:14-17I will give you shepherds after my own heart; all the nations will gather in Jerusalem.
Psalm (II)Jeremiah 31:10-13 r. v.10The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Gospel AcclamationJames 1:21Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you

and can save your souls.
Luke 8:15Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart

take the word of God to themselves

and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
GospelMatthew 13:18-23The man who hears the word and understands it, he is the one who yields a harvest.
Saturday
Reading (I)Exodus 24:3-8This is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you.
Psalm (I)Ps 49:1-2. 5-6. 14-15 r.14Pay your sacrifice of thanksgiving to God.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 7:1-11Do you take this temple that bears my name for a robber’s den?
Psalm (II)Ps 83:3-6. 8. 11. r.2How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, God of hosts.
Gospel AcclamationHebrew 4:12The word of God is something alive and active;

it can judge secret emotions and thoughts.
James 1:21Admit and submit to the word which has been planted in you

and can save your souls.
GospelMatthew 13:24-30Let them both grow till the harvest.

Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Colour
Green
Mass
Preface of Weekdays
Office
Psalter Week I
Monday
Reading (I)Exodus 32:15-24. 30-34This people have committed a great sin, making themselves a god of gold.
Psalm (I)Ps 105:19-23. r.1O give thanks to the Lord for he is good.
Reading (II)Matthew 13:1-11The people will become like this loincloth, good for nothing.
Psalm (II)Deuteronomy 32:18-21 r.18You forget the God who fathered you.
Gospel Acclamation2 Thessalonians 2:14Through the Good News God called us

to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:18By his own choice the Father made us his children by the message of the truth,

so that we should be a sort of first-fruits of all that he created.
GospelMatthew 13:31-35A mustard seed becomes a tree so that the birds of the air shelter in its branches.
Tuesday
Reading (I)Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9. 28The Lord would speak to Moses face to face.
Psalm (I)Ps 102:6-13. r.8The Lord is compassion and love.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 14:17-22Remember, Lord, do not break your covenant with us.
Psalm (II)Psalm 78:8-9. 11. 13. r.9Rescue us, O Lord, for the glory of your name.
Gospel Acclamation1Peter 1:25The word of the Lord remains for ever:

What is this word?

It is the Good News that has been brought to you.
The seed is the word of God, Christ the sower;

whoever finds this seed will remain for ever.
GospelMatthew 13:36-43Just as the darnel is gathered up and burnt in the fire, so it will be at the end of time.
Wednesday
Reading (I)Exodus 34:29-35When they saw Moses, they would not venture near him.
Psalm (I)Ps 98:5-7 r.9You are holy, O Lord our God.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 15:10. 16-21Why is my suffering continual? If you come back, I will take you back into my service.
Psalm (II)Ps 58:2-5. 10-11. 17-18. r.17O God, you have been a refuge in the day of my distress.
Gospel AcclamationPs 118:105Your word is lamp for my steps

and a light for my path.
John 15:15I call you friends, says the Lord,

because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.
GospelMatthew 13:44-46He sells everything he owns and buys the field.
Thursday
Reading (I)Exodus 40:16-21. 34-38The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and the glory of the Lord God filled the tabernacle.
Psalm (I)Ps 83:3-6. 8. 11. r.2How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, God of hosts.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 18:1-6As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine.
Psalm (II)Ps 145:2-6. r.5He is happy who is helped by Jacob’s God.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 15:15I call you friends, says the Lord,

because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.
Acts 16:14Open our heart, O Lord,

to accept the words of your Son.
GospelMatthew 13:47-53They collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use.
Friday
Reading (I)Leviticus 23:1. 4-11. 15-16. 27. 34-37You are to call these the most solemn festivals of the Lord.
Psalm (I)Ps 80:3-6. 10-11. r.2Ring out your joy to God our strength.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 26:1-9The people were all crowding round in the Temple of the Lord.
Psalm (II)Ps 68:5. 8-10. 14. r.14In your great love, answer me, O God.
Gospel Acclamation1 Thessalonians 2:13Accept God’s message for what it really is:

God’s message and not some human thinking.
1 Peter 1:25The word of the Lord remains for ever:

What is this word?

It is the Good News that has been brought to you.
GospelMatthew 13:54-58This is the carpenter’s son, surely? Where did the man get his wisdom and these miraculous powers?
Saturday
Reading (I)Leviticus 25:1. 8-17In the year of jubilee each of you is to return to his ancestral home.
Psalm (I)Ps 66:2-3. 5. 7-8 r.4Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 26:11-16. 24The Lord has truly sent me to you to say all these words.
Psalm (II)Ps 68:15-16. 30-31. 33-34. r.14In your great love, answer me, O God.
Gospel AcclamationLuke 8:15Blessed are those who, with a noble and generous heart, take the word of God to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
Matthew 5:10Happy are those who are persecuted in the cause of right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
GospelMatthew 14:1-12Herod sent and had John beheaded. John’s disciples went off to tell Jesus.

Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Colour
Green
Mass
Preface of Weekdays
Office
Psalter Week II
Monday
Reading (I)Numbers 11:4-15I am not able to carry this nation by myself alone.
Psalm (I)Ps 80:12-17. r.2Ring out your joy to God our strength.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 28:1-17Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you; and thanks to you this people are now relying on what is false.
Psalm (II)Ps 118:29. 43. 79-80. 95. 102. r.68Lord, teach me your statutes.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 14:6I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord;

no one can come to the Father except through me.
Matthew 4:4Man does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
GospelMatthew 14:13-21Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. He handed the loaves to his disciples who gave them to the crowds.
Alt Year A

Matthew 14:22-36
Tell me to come to you across the water.
Tuesday
Reading (I)Numbers 12:1-13:There has never been such a prophet as Moses; how have you dared speak against him?
Psalm (I)Ps 50:3-7. 12-13. r.3Have mercy on us, Lord, for we have sinned.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 30:1-2. 12-15. 18-22So many are your sins, that I have done this to you. I will restore the tents of Jacob.
Psalm (II)Ps 101:16-21. 29. 22-3. r.17The Lord shall build of Zion again and appear in all his glory.
Gospel AcclamationJohn 8:12I am the light of the world, says the Lord,

anyone who follows me will have the light of life.
John 1:49Rabbi, you are the Son of God,

you are the King of Israel.
GospelMatthew 14:22-36Tell me to come to you across the water.
Alt Year A

Matthew 15:1-2. 10-14
Any plant my Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.
Wednesday
Reading (I)Numbers 13:1-2. 25-14:1. 26-29. 34-35They refused a land of delight.
Psalm (I)Ps 105:6-7. 13-14. 21-23. r.4O Lord, remember me out of the love you have for your people.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 31:1-7I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Psalm (II)Jeremiah 31:10-13. r.10The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Gospel AcclamationJames 1:18By his own choice the Father made us his children by the message of the truth,

so that we should be a first-fruits of all that he created.
Luke 7:16A great prophet has appeared among us;

God has visited his people.
GospelMatthew 15:21-28Woman, you have great faith.
Thursday
Reading (I)Numbers 20:1-3Make water flow for the community out of the rock.
Psalm (I)Ps 94:1-2. 6-9. r.8O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts.
Reading (II)Jeremiah 31:31-34I will make a new covenant and never call their sin to mind.
Psalm (II)Ps 50:12-15. 18-19 r.12A pure heart create for me, O God.
Gospel AcclamationPs 144:13The Lord is faithful in all his words

and loving in all his deeds.
Matthew 16:18You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.

And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
GospelMatthew 16:13-23You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Friday
Reading (I)Deuteronomy 4:32-40God loved your fathers and chose their descendants after them.
Psalm (I)Ps 76:12-16. 21. r.12I remember the deeds of the Lord.
Reading (II)Nahum 2:1. 3; 3:1-3. 6-7Woe to the city soaked in blood.
Psalm (II)Deuteronomy 32:35-36. 39. 41. r.39It is the Lord who deals death and life.
Gospel Acclamation1 Samuel 3:9; John 6:68Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:

you have the message of eternal life.
Matthew 5:10Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
GospelMatthew 16:24-28What has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
Saturday
Reading (I)Deuteronomy 6:4-13You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.
Psalm (I)Ps 17:2-4. 47. 51. r.2I love you, Lord, my strength.
Reading (II)Habakkuk 1:12-2:4The upright man will live by his faithfulness.
Psalm (II)Ps 9:8-13. r.11You will never forsake those who seek you, O Lord.
Gospel AcclamationEphesians 1:17. 18May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind,

so that we can see what hope his call holds for us.
2 Timothy 1:10Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death,

and he has proclaimed life through the Good News.
GospelMatthew 17:14-20If you had faith, nothing would be impossible for you.

Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Colour
Green
Mass
Preface of Weekdays
Office
Psalter Week III
Monday
Reading (I)Deuteronomy 10:12-22Circumcise your heart. Love the stranger, for you were strangers.
Psalm (I)Ps 147:12-15. 19-20. r.12O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
Reading (II)Ezekiel 1:2-5. 24-28It was something that looked like the glory of the Lord.
Psalm (II)Ps 148:1-2. 11-14Your glory fills all heaven and earth.
Gospel AcclamationPs 147:12. 15.O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!

He sends out his word to the earth.
2 Thessalonians 2:14Through the Good News

God called us to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GospelMatthew 17:22-27They will put the Son of Man to death, and he will be raised to life again. The sons are exempt from tribute.
Tuesday
Reading (I)Deuteronomy 31:1-8Be strong, Joshua, stand firm; you are going with this people into the land.
Psalm (I)Deuteronomy 32:3-4. 7-9 r.9The Lord’s portion was his people.
Reading (II)Ezekiel 2:8-3:4He gave me the scroll to eat, and it tasted as sweet as honey.
Psalm (II)PS 118:14. 24. 72. 103. 11. 131. r.103Your promise is sweet to my taste, O Lord.
Gospel AcclamationMatthew 11:25Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
Matthew 11:29Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, says the Lord,

for I am gentle and humble in heart.
GospelMatthew 18:1-5. 10. 12-14See that you never despise any of these little ones.
Wednesday
Reading (I)Deuteronomy 34:1-2Moses died as the Lord decreed, and there has never been such a prophet as him.
Psalm (I)Ps 65:1-3. 5. 16-17. r. 20.9Blessed be God who gave life to my soul.
Reading (II)Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22Mark a cross on the foreheads of all who deplore the filth practised in Jerusalem.
Psalm (II)Ps 112:1-6. r.4Above the heavens is the glory of the Lord.
Gospel AcclamationPs 110:7. 8Your precepts, O Lord, are all of them sure;

they stand firm for ever and ever.
2 Corinthians 5:19God in Christ was reconciling the word to himself,

and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.
GospelMatthew 18:15-20If he listens to you, you have won back your brother.
Thursday
Reading (I)Joshua 3:7-11. 13-17The ark of the Lord is about to cross the Jordan at your head.
Psalm (I)Ps 113A:1-6Alleluia!
Reading (II)Ezekiel 12:1-2Emigrate by daylight when they can see you.
Psalm (II)Ps 77:56-59. 61-62. r.7Never forget the deeds of the Lord.
Gospel AcclamationPs 118:88Because of your love give me life,

and I will do your will.
Ps 118:135Let your face shine on your servant

and teach me your decrees.
GospelMatthew 18:21-19:1Do not forgive seven times, I tell you,

but seventy-seven times.
Friday
Reading (I)Joshua 24:1-3I brought your father from beyond the River – I brought you out of Egypt – I brought you into the land.
Psalm (I)Ps 135:1-3. 16-18. 21-22. 24Great is his love, love without end.
Reading (II)Ezekiel 16:1-15. 60. 63You were perfect in beauty because I had clothed you with my own splendour; and you have made yourself a prostitute.
or Ezekiel 16:59-63I will remember the covenant that I made with you, and you will be covered with shame.
Psalm (II)Isaiah 12:2-6. r.1Your anger has passed, O Lord, and you give me comfort.
Gospel AcclamationPs 110:7. 8Your precepts, O Lord, are all of them sure;

they stand firm for ever and ever.
1 Thessalonians 2:13Accept God’s message for what it really is:

God’s message, and not some human thinking.
GospelMatthew 19:3-12You were so unteachable that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives; it was not like this from the beginning.
Saturday
Reading (I)Joshua 24:14-29Choose today whom you wish to serve.
Psalm (I)Ps 15:1-2. 5. 7-8. 11. r.5You are my inheritance, O Lord
Reading (II)Ezekiel 18:1-10. 13. 30-32I mean to judge each of you by what he does.
Psalm (II)Ps 50:12-15. 18-19. r.12A pure heart create for me, O God.
Gospel AcclamationColossians3:16. 17Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you;

through him give thanks to God the Father.
Matthew 11:25Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to mere children.
GospelMatthew 19:13-15Do not stop the little children coming to me: for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.

Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Colour
Green
Mass
Preface of Weekdays
Office
Psalter Week IV
Monday
Reading (I)Judges 2:11-19The Lord appointed judges but they would not listen to them.
Psalm (I)Ps 105:34-37. 39-40. 43-44. r.4O Lord, remember me out of the love you have for your people.
Reading (II)Ezekiel 24:15-24Ezekiel is to be a sign for you. You are to do just as he has done.
Psalm (II)Deuteronomy 32:18-21 r.18You forget the God who fathered you.
Gospel AcclamationPs 118:34Train me, Lord, to observe your law, to keep it with my heart.
Matthew 5:3How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
GospelMatthew 19:16-22If you wish to be perfect, sell what you own and you will have treasure in heaven.
Tuesday
Reading (I)Judges 6:11-24Gideon, you will rescue Israel: do I not send you myself?
Psalm (I)Ps 8:9. 11-14. r.9The Lord speaks peace to his people.
Reading (II)Ezekiel 28:1-10Though you are a man and not a god, you consider yourself the equal of God.
Psalm (II)Deuteronomy 32:26-28. 30. 35-36 r.39It is the Lord who deals death and life.
Gospel AcclamationPs 24:4. 5Teach me your paths, my God, make me walk in your truth.
2 Corinthians 8:9Jesus Christ was rich, but he became poor for your sake, to make you rich out of his poverty.
GospelMatthew 19:23-30It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Wednesday
Reading (I)Judges 9:6-15You said, ‘A king must rule over us’ – although the Lord your God himself is your king.
Psalm (I)Ps 202-7. r.2O Lord, your strength gives joy to the king.
Reading (II)Ezekiel 34:1-11I am going to take my flock back from them and I shall not allow them to feed it.
Psalm (II)Ps 22 r.1The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Gospel AcclamationPs 118:135Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your decrees.
Hebrew 4:12The word of God is something alive and active; it can judge secret emotions and thoughts.
GospelMatthew 20:1-6Why be envious because I am generous.
Thursday
Reading (I)Judges 11:29-39I will offer up the first person to meet me from the door of my house as a holocaust to the Lord.
Psalm (I)Ps 39:5. 7-10. r.8-9Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will
Reading (II)Ezekiel 36:23-28I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you.
Psalm (II)Ps 50:12-15. 18-19. r. Ezkiel 36:25I shall pour clean water over you and all your sins will be washed away.
Gospel AcclamationPs 118:27Make me grasp the way of your precepts, and I will muse on your wonders.
Ps 94:8Harden not your hearts today, but listen to the voice of the Lord.
GospelMatthew 22:1-14Invite everyone you can find to the wedding.
Friday
Reading (I)Ruth 1:1. 3-6. 14-16. 22Naomi came back with Ruth the Moabites and came to Bethlehem.
Psalm (I)Ps 145:5-10. r.2My soul gives praise to the Lord.
Reading (II)Ezekiel 34:1-4Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. I mean to raise you from your graves, House of Israel.
Psalm (II)Ps 106:2-9 r.1O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his love has no end.
Gospel AcclamationPs 118:18Open my eyes, O Lord, that I may consider the wonders of your law.
Ps 24:4. 5Teach me your paths, my God, make me walk in your truth.
GospelMatthew 22:34-40You must love the Lord your God, and your neighbour as yourself.
Saturday
Reading (I)Ruth 2:1-3. 8-11; 4:13-17The Lord has not left the dead man without next of kin to perpetuate his name. This was the father of David’s father, Jesse.
Psalm (I)Ps 127:1-5. r.4Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.
Reading (II)Ezekiel 43:1-7The glory of the Lord arrived at the Temple.
Psalm (II)Ps 84:9-14. r.10The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
Gospel AcclamationPs 118:29. 35Bend my heart to your will, O Lord, and teach me your law.
Matthew 23:9. 10You have only one Father, and he is in heaven; you have only one Teacher, the Christ.
GospelMatthew 23:1-12They do not practise what they preach.