The 15th of March, 2023 is Wednesday in the Third 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: DT 4:1, 5-9
The first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.
Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances which I teach you, to do them, that you may live and go in and possess the land which Yahweh, the God of your fathers, gives you.
Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Yahweh my God commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land where you go in to possess it.
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who shall hear all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
For what great nation is there that has a god so near to them as Yahweh our God is whenever we call on him?
What great nation is there that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you today?
Only be careful, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes saw, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your children and your children’s children.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Response: Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem!
Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion!
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you.
R: Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem!
He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly.
He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes.
R: Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem!
He shows his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done this for just any nation. They don’t know his ordinances. Praise Yah!
R: Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem!
Verse Before Gospel: JN 6:63C, 68C
From the good news according to John.
“The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.”
“You have the words of eternal life.”
Gospel of the Day: MT 5:17-19
From the gospel scripture according to Matthew.
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
