Ezra 1:1-6; Luke 8

Memorial of St. Andrew Kim Tae-Gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-Sang and Companions – Martyrs
Readings on p.1287 and Antiphons on p 1756 of the Daily Missal

Entrance Antiphon
The blood of the holy Martyrs was poured out for Christ upon the earth; therefore they have gained everlasting rewards.

First Reading: Ezra 1:1-6

The beginning of the Book of Ezra.

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia,
that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah
might be accomplished,
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:

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia:
The Lord, the God of heaven,
has given me all the kingdoms of the earth,
and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem,
which is in Judah.
Whoever is among you of all his people,
may his God be with him,
and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah,
and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—
he is the God who is in Jerusalem;
and let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns,
be assisted by the people of his place with silver and gold,
with goods and with beasts,
besides freewill offerings
for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.”

Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses
of Judah and Benjamin,
and the priests and the Levites,
everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up
to rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem;
and all who were about them aided them
with vessels of silver,
with gold, with goods, with beasts,
and with costly wares,
besides all that was freely offered.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126:1-2ab,2cd-3.4-5.6 (R. 3a)

Let us now pray the Responsorial Psalm:

R/. What great deeds the Lord has worked for us!

When the Lord brought back the exiles of Sion,
we thought we were dreaming.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter;
on our tongues, songs of joy.

Then the nations themselves said, “What great deeds
the Lord worked for them!”
What great deeds the Lord worked for us!
Indeed, we were glad.

Bring back our exiles, O Lord,
as streams in the south.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears,
bearing seed for the sowing;
they come back, they come back with a song,
bearing their sheaves.

R/. What great deeds the Lord has worked for us!

Please stand for the Gospel

Alleluia, Alleluia
Let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father.
Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 8:16-18

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

At that time:
Jesus said to the crowds,
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel,
or puts it under a bed,
but puts it on a stand,
that those who enter may see the light.
For nothing is hidden that shall not be made manifest,
nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.
Take heed then how you hear;
for to the one who has, will more be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father, says the Lord.