The 3rd of March, 2023 is Friday in the First Week of Lent. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar of the Year 2023.
Reading 1: EZ 18:21-28
The first reading from the Book of Ezekiel.
“But if the wicked turns from all his sins that he has committed, and keeps all my statutes, and does that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die.
None of his transgressions that he has committed will be remembered against him. In his righteousness that he has done, he shall live.
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” says the Lord Yahweh, “and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?”
“But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, should he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done will be remembered. In his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them he shall die.”
“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not equal.’ Hear now, house of Israel: Is my way not equal? Aren’t your ways unequal?
When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and dies in it, then he dies in his iniquity that he has done.
Again, when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he will save his soul alive.
Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live. He shall not die.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7A, 7BC-8
Response: If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
Out of the depths I have cried to you, Yahweh.
Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions.
R: If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.
R: If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
I wait for Yahweh. My soul waits. I hope in his word.
My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
Israel, hope in Yahweh.
R: If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
For there is loving kindness with Yahweh. Abundant redemption is with him.
He will redeem Israel from all their sins.
R: If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?
Verse Before Gospel: EZ 18:31
From the Book of Ezekiel.
“Cast away from you all your transgressions in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit. For why will you die, house of Israel?”
Gospel of the Day: MT 5:20-26
From the gospel scripture according to Matthew.
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”
“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.”
“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”
Other Celebration
An optional celebration on this day is the Memorial of Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin.
