Shared with permission from the Inclusive Lectionary

 

FIRST READING

A Reading from the Book of Wisdom 6:12-16

Wisdom is brilliant.

She never fades.

She is readily perceived by those who love Her.

By those who seek Her, She is found.

She anticipates those who desire Her

by making Herself known first.

The one who rises early to seek Her

will not be disappointed.

She will be found waiting at the door.

To fix one’s thoughts on Her

is to invite full understanding.

One who keeps vigil on Her account

will soon be free from care.

She Herself searches everywhere

for those who are open to Her,

graciously appearing to them on their ways,

meeting them in every thought.

 

SECOND READING

A Reading from Paul’s 1st Letter to the Thessalonians 3:6, 9-12

Just now, Timothy has returned to us from you, bringing us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us and long to see us as we long to see you!

What thanksgiving, then, can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God? Night and day, we pray beyond measure to see you in person, to supply whatever your faith is wanting.

May God, our Loving Creator, and Jesus the Christ, clear the way for us to come to you. And may God make your love increase and abound for one another and for all, just as ours does for you.

 

GOSPEL

A Reading from the Gospel attributed to Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ chair. Therefore, hear whatever they teach you, and practice it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lace them up on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift so much as a finger to help others with their load.

They do all their deeds to draw attention to themselves: they widen the bands bound to their hands and foreheads, and they lengthen the tassels on their hems. They love to have the places of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues. They love greetings of honor in the marketplaces. And they love to have people call them “Rabbi”.

If you are my disciple, do not call yourself “Rabbi”, for you have but one teacher, and you are all equally sisters, brothers, siblings. Call no one on earth your “Mother” or “Father”; for you have only one Mother, one Father – our God in heaven.

Nor shall my disciples call themselves by authoritative names, for you have one authority, the Messiah. Rather, the greatest among you shall be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.