Brothers and Sisters: Concerning the virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgement as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I mean, brothers and sisters: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
Wednesday of week 23 in Ordinary Time · or Saint Peter Claver
First Reading
1 Corinthians 7:25‐31
‘Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.’
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 45(44):11‐12. 14‐15. 16‐17. ℟11a
Listen, O daughter; pay heed and give ear.
Listen, O daughter; pay heed and give ear:
forget your own people and your father’s house.
So will the king desire your beauty.
He is your lord, pay homage to him.
Listen, O daughter; pay heed and give ear.
The daughter of the king is clothed with splendour;
her robes are threaded with gold.
In fine clothing she is led to the king;
behind her are her maiden companions, brought to you.
Listen, O daughter; pay heed and give ear.
They are escorted amid gladness and joy;
they pass within the palace of the king.
Sons will be yours to succeed your fathers;
you will make them rulers over all the earth.
Listen, O daughter; pay heed and give ear.
Gospel Acclamation
Luke 6:23ab
Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and leap for joy, says the Lord,
for behold, your reward is great in heaven
Alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 6:20‐26
‘Blessed are you who are poor. Woe to you who are rich.’
At that time: Jesus lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and spurn your name as evil on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.’
The Divine Office at Universalis