The 11th of August, 2023, Friday is the Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin. The Bible scriptures for the holy mass readings for this day came from the 2023 Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: DT 4:32-40
The first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and from the one end of the sky to the other, whether there has been anything as great as this thing is, or has been heard like it?
Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the middle of the fire, as you have heard, and live?
Or has God tried to go and take a nation for himself from among another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that Yahweh your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
It was shown to you so that you might know that Yahweh is God. There is no one else besides him.
Out of heaven he made you to hear his voice, that he might instruct you. On earth he made you to see his great fire; and you heard his words out of the middle of the fire.
Because he loved your fathers, therefore he chose their offspring after them, and brought you out with his presence, with his great power, out of Egypt; to drive out nations from before you greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today.
Know therefore today, and take it to heart, that Yahweh himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath. There is no one else.
You shall keep his statutes and his commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for all time.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 77:11-12, 13-14, 15 and 20
Response: I will remember Yah’s deeds.
I will remember Yah’s deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old.
I will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings.
R: I will remember Yah’s deeds.
Your way, God, is in the sanctuary. What god is great like God?
You are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known among the peoples.
R: I will remember Yah’s deeds.
You have redeemed your people with your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
R: I will remember Yah’s deeds.
Gospel of the Day: MT 16:24-28
From the gospel verse according to Matthew.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.
Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”