TODAY'S MASS READING

Saturday of week 20 in Ordinary Time

  (Saint Bernard, Abbot, Doctor )

Liturgical Colour: White.

Readings at Mass

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Entrance Antiphon

Filled by the Lord with a spirit of understanding,

blessed Bernard ministered streams of clear teaching

to the people of God.

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Collect

O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard

a man consumed with zeal for your house

and a light shining and burning in your Church,

grant, through his intercession,

that we may be on fire with the same spirit

and walk always as children of light.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

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First reading	Ezekiel 43:1-7

The angel took me to the gate, the one facing east. I saw the glory of the God of Israel approaching from the east. A sound came with it, like the sound of the ocean, and the earth shone with his glory. This vision was like the one I had seen when I had come for the destruction of the city, and like the one I had seen on the bank of the river Chebar. Then I prostrated myself.

  The glory of the Lord arrived at the Temple by the east gate. The spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; I saw the glory of the Lord fill the Temple. And I heard someone speaking to me from the Temple while the man stood beside me. The voice said, ‘Son of man, this is the dais of my throne, the step on which I rest my feet. I shall live here among the sons of Israel for ever.’

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Responsorial Psalm	Psalm 84:9-14

The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

I will hear what the Lord God has to say,

  a voice that speaks of peace,

  peace for his people and his friends.

His help is near for those who fear him

  and his glory will dwell in our land.

The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

Mercy and faithfulness have met;

  justice and peace have embraced.

Faithfulness shall spring from the earth

  and justice look down from heaven.

The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

The Lord will make us prosper

  and our earth shall yield its fruit.

Justice shall march before him

  and peace shall follow his steps.

The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.

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Gospel Acclamation	Ps118:36,29

Alleluia, alleluia!

Bend my heart to your will, O Lord,

and teach me your law.

Alleluia!

Or	Mt23:9,10

Alleluia, alleluia!

You have only one Father,

  and he is in heaven;

you have only one Teacher,

  the Christ.

Alleluia!

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Gospel	Matthew 23:1-12

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

  ‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’

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Prayer over the Offerings

We offer to your majesty, O Lord,

the Sacrament of unity and peace,

as we celebrate the Memorial of the Abbot Saint Bernard,

a man outstanding in word and deed,

who strove to bring order and concord to your Church.

Through Christ our Lord.

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Communion Antiphon	Jn 15: 9

As the Father loves me, so I also love you;

remain in my love, says the Lord.

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Prayer after Communion

May the food we have received, O Lord,

as we honour Saint Bernard,

work its effect in us,

so that, strengthened by his example

and instructed by his teaching,

we may be caught up in love of your incarnate Word.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.