The 7th of February, 2023 is Tuesday in the Second 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: IS 1:10, 16-20
The First reading from the Book of Isaiah.
Hear Yahweh’s word, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
“Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.
Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.”
“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for Yahweh’s mouth has spoken it.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 50:8-9, 16BC-17, 21 and 23
Response: Whoever prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.
“I don’t rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me.
I have no need for a bull from your stall, nor male goats from your pens.”
R: Whoever prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.
“What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips, since you hate instruction, and throw my words behind you?”
R: Whoever prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.
“You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.”
“Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.”
R: Whoever prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.
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 23:1-12
From the gospel scripture according to Matthew.
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat.
All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them.
But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers.
Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.
Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ.
But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Other Celebration
An optional celebration on this day is the Commemoration of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs.
