Saints John Fisher, Bishop, Martyr and Thomas More, Martyr (Optional Memorial)

June 22, 2018

Saints

Daily Readings:

First Option

  • First Reading

    2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20

    1Now when Athali'ah the mother of Ahazi'ah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family. 2But Jehosh'eba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahazi'ah, took Jo'ash the son of Ahazi'ah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were about to be slain, and she put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. Thus she hid him from Athali'ah, so that he was not slain; 3and he remained with her six years, hid in the house of the LORD, while Athali'ah reigned over the land. 4But in the seventh year Jehoi'ada sent and brought the captains of the Carites and of the guards, and had them come to him in the house of the LORD; and he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the LORD, and he showed them the king's son. 9The captains did according to all that Jehoi'ada the priest commanded, and each brought his men who were to go off duty on the sabbath, with those who were to come on duty on the sabbath, and came to Jehoi'ada the priest. 10And the priest delivered to the captains the spears and shields that had been King David's, which were in the house of the LORD; 11and the guards stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, around the altar and the house. 12Then he brought out the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they proclaimed him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, "Long live the king!" 13When Athali'ah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she went into the house of the LORD to the people; 14and when she looked, there was the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. And Athali'ah rent her clothes, and cried, "Treason! Treason!" 15Then Jehoi'ada the priest commanded the captains who were set over the army, "Bring her out between the ranks; and slay with the sword any one who follows her." For the priest said, "Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD." 16So they laid hands on her; and she went through the horses' entrance to the king's house, and there she was slain. 17And Jehoi'ada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people, that they should be the LORD's people; and also between the king and the people. 18Then all the people of the land went to the house of Ba'al, and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they slew Mattan the priest of Ba'al before the altars. And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the LORD. 20So all the people of the land rejoiced; and the city was quiet after Athali'ah had been slain with the sword at the king's house.

  • Responsorial Psalm

    Psalms 132:11-14, 17-18

    11The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. 12If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies which I shall teach them, their sons also for ever shall sit upon your throne." 13For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation: 14"This is my resting place for ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 17There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. 18His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown will shed its luster."

  • Gospel

    Matthew 6:19-23

    19"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22"The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; 23but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Second Option

  • First Reading

    1 Peter 4:12-19

    12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a mischief-maker; 16yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God. 17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And "If the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the impious and sinner appear?" 19Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator.

  • Responsorial Psalm

    Psalms 126:1-6

    1When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. 4Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb! 5May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! 6He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

  • Gospel

    Matthew 10:34-39

    34"Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36and a man's foes will be those of his own household. 37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.