All Saints of Ireland

First reading

Hebrews 11:2,12:1-4,15,13:1

We should throw off everything that hinders us

With so many witnesses in a great cloud on every side of us, we too, then, should throw off everything that hinders us, especially the sin that clings so easily, and keep running steadily in the race we have started. Let us not lose sight of Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which was still in the future, he endured the cross, disregarding the shamefulness of it, and from now on has taken his place at the right of God’s throne. Think of the way he stood such opposition from sinners and then you will not give up for want of courage. In the fight against sin, you have not yet had to keep fighting to the point of death.

Psalm or canticle

Psalm 125(126)

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
 it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
 on our lips there were songs.

The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels
 the Lord worked for them!’
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
 Indeed we were glad.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
 as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
 will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears,
 carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
 carrying their sheaves.

Gospel

Luke 6:20-26

Happy are you who are poor, who are hungry, who weep

Fixing his eyes on his disciples Jesus said:
‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.

Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.

‘Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.’