Saint Agnes, Virgin, Martyr

First reading

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, to shame the wise

Take yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.

Psalm or canticle

Psalm 22(23):1-3a,4-6

The Lord is my shepherd;
 there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
 where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
 to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path;
 he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
 no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
 with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me
 in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
 my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
 all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
 for ever and ever.

Gospel

Matthew 13:44-46-

He sells everything he owns and buys the field

Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’


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Scripture readings taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. For on-line information about other Random House, Inc. books and authors, see the Internet web site at http://www.randomhouse.com.