Oct. 4: Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, religious

Gustave Doré, Ezra Reading the Law in the Hearing of the People

Readings for Mass
First Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-4, 5-6, 7-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Gospel: Luke 10:1-12

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law (NRSV, Nehemiah 8:9).

Let us pray.

Father, the people, returned to Jerusalem, rejoiced to hear your Word read to them. If only we could all realize that your Word is spoken to us in the depth of our being in every moment in every situation even from the womb. May we listen carefully, as did the people of Jerusalem on that day, that we may hear and understand more fully all that you speak to us.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen