A Reading from the Book of Judith (16:18-25)
When they came into Jerusalem, they worshipped God and when the people were purified, they offered up their whole burnt offerings and their voluntary offerings and the gifts. Then Judith dedicated all the trappings of Holofernes, all that the people had given her along with the canopy which she herself had taken from his bedroom; she gave them to God as a consecrated offering. And the people continued celebrating in Jerusalem in front of the holy precincts for three months, and Judith remained there with them. After those days each returned to their inheritance and Judith departed for Bethulia and remained there on her property, and in her time she was renowned in all the land. And many desired her yet, no man knew her all the days of her life from the day Manasseh her husband died and was added to his people. And as for Judith, her renown continued, increasing in greatness; and she grew old in the house of her husband—one hundred and five years. Also, she released her favored slave-woman and set her free. Thus, Judith died in Bethulia and they buried her in the cave of her husband, Manasseh. And the house of Israel mourned Judith seven days; also she had divided what she had to all the near-kin of Manasseh, her hus- band and the nearest of her people before she died. And there was not again one person who terrified the women, children, and men of Israel in the days of Judith or after her death, for a long time.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Psalm 149:1-6
Praise the AGELESS GOD! Sing to the BREATH OF LIFE a new song,
her praise in the congregation of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in her Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their Sovereign.
Let them praise her Name with dance;
with drum and sing praise to her.
For the EVER-PRESENT GOD delights in her people;
she adorns those afflicted through poverty with liberation.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their couches.
Let exalted praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to Romans (16:1-16)
I commend to you all our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae, so that you all may receive her in Christ as is worthy of the saints, and stand by her in whatever thing she may need of you, for she has been a benefactress of many, and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, and who for my life risked their necks, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles, and the church in their house. Greet Epaenetus my beloved, who was the first fruit in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked much among you all. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kin and my fellow prisoners; they are eminent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in Christ. Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Greet Apelles, who is proven in Christ. Greet those who belong to Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those who belong of Narcissus in Christ. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa who toil in Christ. Greet the beloved Persis who has worked much in Christ. Greet Rufus, chosen in Christ, and greet his mother who is also mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the sisters and brothers or friends and kin who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke (13:18-30)
Glory to you Lord Christ
Jesus said now then, “What is the Majesty of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in their garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the heavens made nests in its branches.” And Jesus said again: “To what should I compare the Mystery of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and folded in with three measures of flour until all was leavened.” And Jesus went through towns and villages, teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Now, someone asked him, “Rabbi, is it only a few who will be saved?” Jesus said to all of them: “Struggle to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Once the owner of the house has gotten up and shut the door and you stand outside and begin to knock at the door, saying, ‘Honored One, open to us,’ then the homeowner will say to you all, ‘I do not know any of you or where you have come from.’ And you all will begin to say, ‘We ate with you and we drank with you and in our streets you taught.’ But the homeowner will say, ‘I do not know any of you or where you have come from. Get away from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Hagar, Sarah, Keturah, and Abraham and Rebekah and Isaac, and Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Jacob and all the women and men who were prophets in the Movement of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the Magnificence of God. Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Christ