First Reading
2 Kings 24:8–17
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he ruled for three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Nehushta, daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. He acted wrongly before the Lord, following the example of those before him.
At that time the officials of the king of Babylon came against Jerusalem, and the city was surrounded. The king of Babylon himself arrived while his servants were encircling it. Then Jehoiachin, king of Judah, along with his mother, his officials, and leaders, surrendered to the king of Babylon, who took him into custody in the eighth year of his reign.
He removed the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the palace, and dismantled the gold furnishings that Solomon, king of Israel, had placed in the temple, just as the Lord had foretold. He carried away the leading citizens of Jerusalem: the officers, soldiers, skilled workers, and craftsmen. Only the poorest people remained in the land.
Jehoiachin was taken to Babylon, together with the king’s mother, his wives, his officials, and other prominent people. In his place, the king of Babylon appointed Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, as king and changed his name to Zedekiah.
This is the word of the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 79
R. For the honor of your name, O Lord, save us.
1. O God, foreign nations have entered your inheritance;
they have damaged your holy temple
and left Jerusalem in ruins.
We have become an object of ridicule among our neighbors.
R. For the honor of your name, O Lord, save us.
2. O Lord, how long will this continue?
Will your anger last forever?
Do not remember against us the wrongs of the past;
let your compassion come quickly to us,
for we are greatly humbled.
R. For the honor of your name, O Lord, save us.
3. Help us, O God our Savior,
for the sake of your name;
rescue us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
R. For the honor of your name, O Lord, save us.
Alleluia
John 14:23
Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come and make our dwelling with him.
Alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 7:21–29
Jesus said to his disciples:
Not everyone who calls me “Lord” will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who carries out the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, did we not speak in your name? Did we not perform great works in your name?” Then I will say to them clearly, “I do not recognize you. Go away from me, you who practice wrongdoing.”
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on solid rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew against that house, but it did not fall because it was built on a firm foundation.
But whoever hears these words and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds struck that house, and it fell and was completely destroyed.
When Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught with authority.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.