1st Reading: Wisdom 1:1-7
Think of the Lord constantly, and seek his guidance truly
Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord in goodness and seek him with sincerity of heart; because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him.
For perverse thoughts separate people from God, and when his power is tested, it exposes the foolish; because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul, or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.
For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit, and will leave foolish thoughts behind, and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness.
For wisdom is a kindly spirit, but will not free blasphemers from the guilt of their words; because God is witness of their inmost feelings, and a true observer of their hearts, and a hearer of their tongues.
Because the spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which holds all things together knows what is said.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139: 1-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10(R.24b)
R/ Lead me, lord, in the way everlasting.
O lord, you search me and you know me.
you yourself know my resting and my rising;
you discrn my thoughts from afar.
you Mark when I walk or lie down;
you know all my ways through and through. R/Before ever a word is on my tongue,
you know it, o lord, through and through
behind and before, you besiege me,
your hand ever laid upon me.
too wonderful for me, this knowledge;
too high, beyond my reach. R/O where can I go from your spirit
or where can I flee from your face?
if I climb the heavens you are there
if I lie in the grave, you are there. R/If I take wings of the dawn.
or dwell at the sea’s furthest end
even there your hand would lead me
your right hand would hold me fast. R/
Alleluia: Philippians 2:15d, 16a
V/ Alleluia. R/ Alleluia.
V/ You will shine as lights in the world, holding fast the world of life.
R/ Alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 17:1-6
Instruction on scandal, repeated forgiveness, and the power of faith
Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”