FIRST
READING: Ezekiel
1: 2 - 5, 24 - 28
2
On the fifth day of the month, the same was the fifth year of the
captivity of king Joachin,
3
The word of the Lord came to Ezechiel the priest the son of Buzi in
the land of the Chaldeans, by the river Chobar: and the hand of the
Lord was there upon him.
4
And I saw, and behold a whirlwind came out of the north: and a great
cloud, and a fire infolding it, and brightness was about it: and out
of the midst thereof, that is, out of the midst of the fire, as it
were the resemblance of amber:
5
And in the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures: and
this was their appearance: there was the likeness of a man in them.
24
And I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters,
as it were the voice of the most high God: when they walked, it was
like the voice of a multitude, like the noise of an army, and when
they stood, their wings were let down.
25
For when a voice came from above the firmament, that was over their
heads, they stood, and let down their wings.
26
And above the firmament that was over their heads, was the likeness
of a throne, as the appearance of the sapphire stone, and upon the
likeness of the throne, was a likeness as of the appearance of a man
above upon it.
27
And I saw as it were the resemblance of amber as the appearance of
fire within it round about: from his loins and upward, and from his
loins downward, I saw as it were the resemblance of fire shining
round about.
28
As the appearance of the rainbow when it is in a cloud on a rainy
day: this was the appearance of the brightness round about.
PSALM:
Psalms 148:
1 - 2, 11 - 14
1
Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye him in the high
places.
2
Praise ye him, all his angels, praise ye him, all his hosts.
11
Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the
earth:
12
Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name
of the Lord:
13
For his name alone is exalted.
14
The praise of him is above heaven and earth: and he hath exalted the
horn of his people. A hymn to all his saints to the children of
Israel, a people approaching to him. Alleluia.
GOSPEL:
Matthew 17:
22 - 26
22
And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall rise again. And
they were troubled exceedingly.
23
And when they were come to Capharnaum, they that received the
didrachmas, came to Peter and said to him: Doth not your master pay
the didrachmas?
24
He said: Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented
him, saying: What is thy opinion, Simon? The kings of the earth, of
whom do they receive tribute or custom? of their own children, or of
strangers?
25
And he said: Of strangers. Jesus said to him: Then the children are
free.
26
But that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea, and cast in a
hook: and that fish which shall first come up, take: and when thou
hast opened its mouth, thou shalt find a stater: take that, and give
it to them for me and thee.
