Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

August 19, 2023

Saints

Daily Readings:

  • First Reading

    Joshua 24:14-29

    14"Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15And if you be unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." 16Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; 17for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, and who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; 18and the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land; therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God." 19But Joshua said to the people, "You cannot serve the LORD; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good." 21And the people said to Joshua, "Nay; but we will serve the LORD." 22Then Joshua said to the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him." And they said, "We are witnesses." 23He said, "Then put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel." 24And the people said to Joshua, "The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey." 25So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem. 26And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a great stone, and set it up there under the oak in the sanctuary of the LORD. 27And Joshua said to all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD which he spoke to us; therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God." 28So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance. 29After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being a hundred and ten years old.

  • Responsorial Psalm

    Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11

    1Preserve me, O God, for in thee I take refuge. 2I say to the LORD, "Thou art my Lord; I have no good apart from thee." 5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot. 7I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 11Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.

  • Gospel

    Matthew 19:13-15

    13Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; 14but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." 15And he laid his hands on them and went away.