The 30th of September, 2021, Thursday is the Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar of the Year 2021.
Reading 1: NEH 8:1-4A, 5-6, 7B-12
The first reading from the Book of Nehemiah.
All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the wide place that was in front of the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel.
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.
He read from it before the wide place that was in front of the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand. The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose.
Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people), and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
Then Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God. All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands. They bowed their heads, and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground.
And the people stayed in their place.
They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “Today is holy to Yahweh your God. Don’t mourn, nor weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.”
So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Hold your peace, for the day is holy. Don’t be grieved.”
All the people went their way to eat, to drink, to send portions, and to celebrate, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 19:7, 8, 9, 10
Response: Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart.
Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.
R: Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart.
Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
R: Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart.
The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
R: Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart.
They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
R: Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart.
Gospel of the Day: LK 10:1-12
From the gospel scripture according to Luke.
Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come.
Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.
Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’
If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house.
Into whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.
Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’
But into whatever city you enter and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’
I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.”
