Chapter: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

St. Luke – Chapter 1

PREFACE

     1 Many writers have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events which have occurred among us in fulfillment of the Scriptural prophecies. 2 Their stories were based on the testimonies handed down to us by the original eye-witnesses and missionaries of the Gospel.
     3 As you know, most excellent Theophilus, I have carefully investigated the entire revelation from its beginning. For this reason I myself have decided to write its history in a connected form for your benefit. 4 Thus you will obtain a reliable handbook of the doctrines in which you have been instructed.

ANNUNCIATION OF THE FORERUNNER

     5 During the reign of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the division of Abijah. His wife was also a descendant of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth.
     6 They were both righteous before God, strictly observing the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. 7 They had no children, for Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
     8 Now he was officiating as priest before God when his division was on duty. 9 According to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to his lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer him license. 10 All the congregation of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
     11 Thereupon an Angel appeared to him standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.
     13 But the Angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah. For your prayer has been heard. Your wife will bear you a son and you will name him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink no wine nor strong drinks. He will be inspired by the Holy Spirit from his very birth.16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord our God. 17 He will go before him in the Spirit and power of Elijah. He will reconcile fathers to their children, He will bring the disobedient back to the wisdom of the righteous. He will prepare the people perfectly for the Lord.”
     18 Zechariah said to the Angel: “How can I believe such a thing? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
     19 The Angel answered him: “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce to you these good tidings. 20 Now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when this event will take place. For you have not believed my words which will be fulfilled in their time.”
     21 In the meantime, the people were waiting for Zechariah. They wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. So they knew that he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them, but remained dumb. 23 When the days of his ministration were completed, he went back to his home.
     24 Soon afterward, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said: 25 “The Lord has done this favor to me. He has deigned to remove the disgrace I have endured among men.”

ANNUNCIATION OF THE MESSIAH

     26 Six months later, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
     28 So the Angel went to her house, and said to her: “Hail gracious Virgin, the Lord is with you.” 29 She was startled by what he said and wondered what his greeting meant.
     30 But the Angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary. For you have found grace with God. 31 Consequently, you will become pregnant, you will give birth to a Son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord our God will give him the throne of his forefather David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”
     34 Mary asked the Angel: “How can this happen, when I have no husband?” 35 The Angel answered her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the Child to be born will be called the holy Son of God.
     36 “Look, your relative Elizabeth in her old age became pregnant with a son. Now this is the sixth month of pregnancy of a woman who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing is impossible.”
     38 Mary said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. I am ready to serve as you say.” Then the Angel departed from her.

MARY AND ELIZABETH

     39 In those days, Mary arose and hurried to the highlands, to a city of Judah. 40 She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard the greetings of Mary, the child leaped within her. Then Elizabeth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, 42 exclaimed with a loud voice:
     “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your holy Son. 43 But why is this favor granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child leaped with joy within me. 45 Blessed is the woman who has believed that what the Lord has promised her will be fulfilled.”
     46 Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. 48 He has exalted his humble handmaid. For henceforth all generations will glorify me. 49 The Almighty Lord, whose name is holy, has done miracles for me. 50 He has shown his mercy to his pious worshipers from generation to generation. 51 He has done mighty deeds with his arm. He has routed the haughty and the conceited. 52 He has dethroned the oppressors, and he has exalted the oppressed. 53 He has enriched the poor with all his blessings, and he has despoiled the rich of all their wealth. 54 He has helped his servant Israel with his unfailing mercy. 55 He has fulfilled all the promises he had made to our forefathers, to Abraham, and his descendants forever.”
     56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. Then she returned to her own house.

BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

     57 When the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard of the great mercy the Lord had shown her. So they visited her congratulated her.
     59 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child, and they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother said: “No, he must be named John.” 61 They told her: “None of your relatives is called by that name.”
     62 So they made signs to the child’s father to learn what he wished him to be called. 63 He asked for a tablet and wrote on it: “His name will be John.” They were all amazed. 64 Thereupon his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue was loosed. He began to speak and to praise God.
     65 All their neighbors were overcome with awe. These stories were told all over the highlands of Judea. 66 All those who heard them pondered over them, and asked: “What is this child going to be?” For the hand of the Lord was over him. 67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. 69 He has raised a Savior for us in the house of his servant David. 70 He fulfilled the promises which he had made long ago through the mouths of his holy Prophets. 71 He saved us from our enemies and from all those who hate us.
     72 “He carried out his merciful dispensation and his holy covenant with our forefathers. 73 For he had sworn an oath to our forefather Abraham, 74 that he would liberate us from our oppressors and enable us to serve him fearlessly, and to live 75 in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life.
     76 “And you, my child, will be called a Prophet of the Most High. For you will become the forerunner of the Lord, and you will prepare his way. 77 You will teach the people to obtain salvation through the remission of their sins. 78 Our God has been merciful to us. For he has sent us the Dawn of Heaven 79 to give light to those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death. Thus he will guide all men into the Kingdom of Peace.”
     80 So the child grew up, became strong in spirit, and lived in the desert until the day when he was manifested to the people of Israel.

St. Luke – Chapter 2

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

     1 In those days, a decree was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census of the whole empire should be taken. 2 It was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 So everyone went to register in his own city.
     4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the city of David called Bethlehem in Judea, because he belonged to the house and lineage of David. 5 There he registered with Mary who was betrothed to him and was pregnant.
     6 While they were there, the time for her delivery arrived. 7 So she gave birth to her first-born Son, wrapped him up in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger. For there was no room for them at the inn.

THE SHEPHERDS

     8 In that region there were shepherds living in the open fields and keeping watch over their flocks by night. 9 Suddenly, an Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The shepherds were terribly frightened.
     10 But the Angel said to them: “Do not be afraid. For I bring you good tidings of great joy for all the people: 11 Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, has been born in the city of David. 12 This is the sign by which you will know him: You will find a baby, wrapped up in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
     13 Suddenly, a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with the Angel praising God, and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will among men.”
     15 When the Angel had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this event which has occurred, and which the Lord has announced to us.” 16 So they hurried there, and found Mary and Joseph with the Baby lying in the manger.
     17 The shepherds saw him, and reported the message of the Angel concerning this Child. 18 They were all amazed at what the shepherds told them.
     19 But Mary treasured up all these predictions and pondered over them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been announced to them.

CIRCUMCISION AND PRESENTATION

     21 When he was eight days old, he was circumcized. He was called Jesus, as the Angel had named him when he announced his birth.
     22 Then the days of his Mother’s purification were fulfilled. So, according to the Law of Moses, the parents brought the Child to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, 23 because it is written in the Scriptures that “every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord.” 24 Moreover, they had to offer the sacrifice prescribed in the Scriptures, namely a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
     25 At that time, there was in Jerusalem a man named Simeon. This man was righteous and devout. He was awaiting the redemption of Israel and he was inspired by the Holy Spirit. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Messiah.
     27 So he went to the temple under the influence of the Holy Spirit. When the parents brought in the Child Jesus for the purpose of fulfilling the customary prescriptions of the Law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms, blessed God, and said:
     29 “Lord, now dismiss your servant in peace, according to your promise. 30 For my eyes have seen the salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all peoples, 32 a light of revelation for the Gentiles, and a glory for your people Israel.”
     33 His mother and Joseph were amazed at what was spoken about him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his Mother: “Listen! This child is destined to cause the fall and the rise of many in Israel. He will become a subject of controversy. 35 A sword will pierce your own heart. Thus the thoughts of many people will be revealed.”
     36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old. When she was young, she had been married for seven years. 37 She had been a widow until she reached the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with fasts and prayers. 38 She came up at that very moment, gave praise to the Lord, and spoke about the Child to all those who were looking for the liberation of Jerusalem.
     39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The Child grew and became strong in spirit. He was full of wisdom, and imbued with the grace of God.

JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

     41 His parents used to go to Jerusalem every year at the festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem for the festival as usual.
     43 After the end of the celebrations, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother did not know it. 44 They supposed that he was somewhere in the party, and proceeded a day’s journey. Then they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.
     45 When they failed to find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they discovered him in the temple, sitting among the doctors of the law, listening to them, and asking them questions. 47 All those who heard him were astonished at his intelligence and at his answers.
     48 When his parents saw him, they were amazed. Then his mother said to him: “My child, why have you treated us like that? Why, your father and I have been searching for you and worrying about you.” 49 Jesus answered them: “Why did you search for me? You should know that I must be in my Father’s house.”
     50 They did not understand what he meant. 51 But he went down with them, returned to Nazareth, and obeyed them. His mother kept all these incidents in her mind. 52 So Jesus advanced in wisdom, in age, and in grace with God and man.

St. Luke – Chapter 3

JOHN THE BAPTIST

     1 It was in the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius. At that time Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea. Herod was tetrarch of Galilee. His brother Philip was tetrarch of the districts of Iturea and Trachonitis. Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. 2 Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. Then John, the son of Zechariah, received a message from God in the desert.
     3 He went all over the Jordan valley, and preached a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4 as the book of sermons of the prophet Isaiah says: “Listen, a Prophet is preaching in the desert. Prepare the way of the Lord. Straighten out his paths. 5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be leveled. The crooked places will be straightened out. The rough roads will be smoothed. 6 And all flesh will see the salvation of God.”
     7 He said to the people who went out to be baptized by him: “You brood of vipers! God himself has warned you to flee from the retribution to come. 8 Therefore show your repentance by your deeds. Do not say to yourselves: ‘We have Abraham as our father!’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham out of these stones. 9 Now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. So every tree which does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
     10 The people asked him: “What shall we do then?” 11 He answered them: “Whoever has two coats must give to him who has none. And whoever has food must do likewise.”
     12 The publicans also came to be baptized, and asked him: “Master, what shall we do?” 13 He answered them: “Do not exact more than what is prescribed to you.”
     14 The soldiers also asked him: “And we, what shall we do?” He answered them: “Extort nothing from anybody by violence or by false accusation. Be content with your wages.”
     15 The people were in expectation, and all of them were wondering in their minds whether he was the Messiah or not. 16 John declared to all: “I baptize you with water, but a mightier man than I is coming, whose sandal-straps I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 He has his winnowing fork in his hand. He will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into his granary. And he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 So with many other exhortations he preached the glad tidings to the people.
     19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by John because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the evil deeds which he had committed, 20 crowned them all by putting John in prison.

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

     21 Now, when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized and was praying. Then heaven was opened. 22 The Holy Spirit descended upon him in the physical form of a dove. And a voice came from heaven, saying: “You are my beloved Son. I am well pleased with you.”

GENEALOGY OF JESUS

     23 Jesus was about thirty years of age when he began his ministry. He was the son, as was supposed, of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Reza, the son of Zorobabel, the son of Salathiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Jesus, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Booz, the son of Salmon, the son of Naasson, 33 the son of Aminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Esrom, the son of Phares, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Tharah, the son of Nachor, 35 the son of Sarug, the son of Ragau, the son of Phaleg, the son of Heber, the son of Salah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Malaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, who was created by God.

St. Luke – Chapter 4

THE TEMPTATIONS

     1 Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan. He was led about by the Spirit in the desert for forty days, 2 and was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days. When they were over, he felt hungry. 3 So the devil said to him: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
     4 Jesus answered him: “It is written in the Scriptures: ‘Man cannot live on bread alone, but also on all the commandments which proceed from the mouth of God.'”
     5 Again the devil took him up on a high mountain. He showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a momentary vision, 6 and said to him: “I will give you all this authority and glory. For it has been turned over to me, and I can give it to anyone I please. 7 If you will worship me, it will be yours.”
     8 Jesus answered him: “Get away from me, Satan. For it is written in the Scriptures: ‘You must worship the Lord your God, and adore him alone.'”
     9 Finally, he led him to Jerusalem, placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him: “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written in the Scriptures: ‘He will command his Angels to protect you. 11 They will lift you up with their hands. So you will never strike your foot against a stone.'”
     12 Jesus answered him: “We are told in the Scriptures: ‘You must not challenge the Lord your God.'” 13 When the devil had concluded his temptations, he left him in peace for the time being.

JESUS AT NAZARETH

     14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. His fame spread all over that region. 15 For he taught in their synagogues, and was glorified by them all.
     16 Later on, Jesus came to Nazareth, where he was brought up. On the Sabbath day, he went to the synagogue, as he was accustomed to do, and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The book of the Prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and read the following passage:
     18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. For he has anointed me and sent me out to preach the Gospel to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to release the captives, to open the eyes of the blind, to liberate the oppressed, 19 and to proclaim the glorious year of the Lord.”
     20 He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all the people in the synagogue were fixed upon him. 21 He began by saying to them: “This passage of the Scripture you have heard has been fulfilled today.” 22 They all spoke well of him. They were astonished at the gracious words which came from his mouth, and kept asking: “Is he not the son of Joseph?” 23 He answered them: “No doubt you will quote this proverb to me: Doctor, heal yourself! Do here in your home what we hear you did at Capernaum.”
     24 Then he added: “Well, I tell you, no prophet is welcome in his own country. 25 Indeed, I tell you there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah. Then the sky was closed for three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to one of them, but to a foreign widow at Zarephta in Sidon. 27 Likewise, there were plenty of lepers in Israel in the days of the Prophet Elisha. Yet no one of them was healed but Neeman the Syrian.”
     28 When the people in the synagogue heard this statement, they were all furious. 29 They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which the city was built, in order to fling him down headlong. 30 But he passed through them unseen, and went away.

THE DEMONIAC

     31 Then Jesus came to Capernaum, a town of Galilee, and was preaching to the people on the Sabbath day. 32 They were astonished at his sermons, because he preached with authority.
     33 In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon. He shrieked aloud, 34 and said to Jesus: “Let us alone! What do you want from us, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to exterminate us. I know who you are: You are the Son of God.” 35 Jesus rebuked him and said to him: “Silence! Come out of him.”
     The demon threw the man down in the midst of them, and came out of him without doing him any harm. 36 They were all amazed, and said to one another: “What is the meaning of his message? He gives orders to the unclean spirits with authority and power. For they obey him and come out.” 37 His fame spread in every place of the neighboring region.

PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW

     38 Then Jesus left the synagogue and went to Simon’s house and was asked to heal Simon’s mother-in-law who was suffering from a violent fever. 39 He stood over her and commanded the fever to leave her. She was healed immediately, rose up, and ministered to them.

CURES

     40 When the sun was setting, all those who had sick friends, suffering from various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hand on each one of them, and healed them. 41 He also cast out demons from many persons. The demons screamed aloud and said: “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.” He reproved them and did not allow them to speak. For they knew that he was the Messiah.
     42 When it was day, he left the house and went to a deserted spot. The people sought him, overtook him, and tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he told them: “I must preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven to the other cities also. For I was sent for this purpose.” 44 So he continued to in the synagogues of Galilee.

St. Luke – Chapter 5

THE FIRST APOSTLES

     1 One day he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, while the people pressed around him to listen to the divine Gospel. 2 Then he saw two ships on the shore of the lake. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He boarded one of them, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to push off a little from the land. Then he sat down and preached to the people from the boat.
     4 When he had finished his sermon, he said to Simon: “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered him: “Master, we worked all night and caught nothing. But as you tell me to do it, I will lower the nets.”
     6 When they had done so, they enclosed such a shoal of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they beckoned to their partners in the other ship to come and help them. They came, and filled both ships so heavily that they began to sink.
     8 When Simon saw it, he knelt before Jesus and said to him: “Do not approach me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 9 For he and all his companions, as well as James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners, were amazed at the haul of fish they had taken.
     10 Then Jesus said to Simon: “Do not be afraid. From now on, you will be fishers of men.” 11 Thereupon they brought their boats to land, left everything, and followed him.

THE LEPER

     12 Once, when Jesus was in one of the cities, he met a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, saying: “My Lord, if you will, you can cleanse me.” 13 Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him: “I will. Be cleansed.” Immediately, the leprosy left him.
     14 Then Jesus ordered him: “Tell nobody about it. But go and show yourself to the priest, and make the offerings prescribed by Moses as an evidence of your cure.” 15 Yet his fame spread the more widely. Large crowds were gathered to hear him and be healed of their diseases. 16 But he retired into the desert and prayed.

THE PARALYTIC

     17 One day Jesus was preaching while some Pharisees and doctors of the Law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem, were sitting near by. For they had heard that Jesus was endowed by the Lord with power to heal.
     18 Thereupon some men carrying a paralytic on a bed came up, and were trying to bring him before Jesus. 19 As they could find no way to get him in, on account of the throng, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his cot into the midst before Jesus.
     20 When he saw their faith, he said: “My friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The Scribes and the Pharisees were asking themselves: “Who is this man who utters these blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
     22 Jesus guessed their thoughts, and answered them: “What are you pondering in your minds? 23 Which is easier? To say: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Or to say: ‘Stand up and walk.’ 24 But I will show you that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth.” Then he said to the paralytic: “I tell you, stand up, take up your bed, and go home.” 25 Immediately, he stood up before them, took up his bed, and went home, glorifying God. 26 They were all amazed and glorified God. They were filled with awe and said: “We have seen a strange miracle today.”

LEVI

     27 Later on, as Jesus was passing along, he saw a publican called Levi sitting at the customs-house. He said to him: “Follow me.” 28 He left everything, rose up, and followed him.
     29 Then Levi gave a great entertainment for him in his house. A large throng of publicans and their friends were sitting at the table with them. 30 The Scribes and the Pharisees grumbled at his Disciples, saying: “Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered them: “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but those who are sick do. 32 I have not come to call to repentance the righteous, but the sinners.”

FASTING

     33 Some Pharisees asked him: “How is it that the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast frequently and offer prayers, while your Disciples eat and drink?”
     34 He answered them: “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them. 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them. Then in those days they will fast.”

NEW AND OLD

     36 Then he told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment to patch an old garment. If he does, the new garment will be torn and the patch will not match the old garment.
     37 “Likewise, no one puts new wine in old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined. 38 On the contrary, new wine must be put in fresh wineskins. For thus both of them are safe. 39 Moreover, no one who has been drinking old wine calls for new wine. For he says: ‘The old wine is better.'”

St. Luke – Chapter 6

SABBATH OBSERVANCE

     1 On a Sabbath day, while Jesus was passing through the grainfields, his Disciples picked ears of wheat, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. 2 But some of the Pharisees said to them: “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”
     3 Jesus answered them: “You have read what David did when he and his companions were hungry. 4 He simply went into the house of God, took the presentation loaves, and ate them with his companions. As you know, only priests are allowed to eat them.” 5 Then he added: “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.”
     6 On another Sabbath day, he went into a synagogue and began to preach. Now a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 The Scribes and the Pharisees were watching to see whether he would heal people on the Sabbath, in order to find an accusation against him.
     8 Jesus guessed their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand: “Rise up and stand in the midst.” He did so. 9 Then Jesus said to them: “I want to ask you a question. Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” 10 He looked around on them all and said to the man: “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his right hand was restored like his left hand.
     11 They were furious, and began to discuss what action they should take against Jesus.

THE TWELVE APOSTLES

     12 Then he went up on the mountain, and spent the whole night in prayer to God. 13 When day came, he called his Disciples, and chose twelve of them whom he called Apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew; 15 Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot; 16 Judas, the brother of James; and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

     17 Then he came down with them and stood on a plain with a great throng of his Disciples. A large crowd of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon had come to hear him and be healed of their diseases. 18 Many of them who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. 19 All of them were trying to touch him, because power went forth from him and healed them all.

THE BEATITUDES

     20 Then he looked at his Disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor. For yours is the Kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now. For you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now. For you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, cast you off, revile you, and ban your name as evil, on account of the Messiah. 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy. For indeed, your reward will be great in heaven.”

THE WOES

     24 “Woe to you who are rich. For you have received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are filled. For you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now. For you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you of whom all men speak well. For in this way their forefathers have treated the false prophets.”

LOVE

     27 “Now listen to what I tell you. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. And pray for those who abuse you. 29 If a man strikes you on one cheek, offer him the other also. If a man takes away your coat, hand him your shirt also. 30 If a man begs from you, give to him always. If a man steals your property, never try to recover it.
     31 “Do to other men what you want them to do to you. 32 If you love only those who love you, there is no reward for you. Why, even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good only to those who do good to you, there is no reward for you. Why, even sinners do as much. 34 If you lend only to those from whom you expect repayment, there is no reward for you. Why, even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much in return.
     35 “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, without expecting anything in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will become sons of the Most High. For he is kind even to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

THE MEASURE

     37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and they will give you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. For the measure you give will be the measure you receive.”

THE BEAM AND THE MOTE

     39 Then he told them a parable: “The blind cannot lead the blind. For both of them will fall into the ditch.
     40 “A disciple is not better than his master. But every disciple, when he is well trained, will become just as good as his master.
     41 “You observe the mote in your brother’s eye. But you do not notice the beam in your own eye. 42 You cannot say to your brother: ‘Brother, let me remove the mote from your eye,’ when you are unable to see the beam in your own eye. You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the mote from your brother’s eye.

TREE AND FRUIT

     43 “A good tree does not bear bad fruit, and a bad tree does not bear good fruit either. 44 For every tree is known by its fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, and grapes not picked from brambles. 45 A good man produces good out of the store of goodness in his heart. A wicked man produces evil out of the store of wickedness in his heart. For his mouth utters only what his heart contains.”

HOUSE ON A ROCK

     46 “You call me ‘Lord, Lord!’ Yet you do not practice my commandments. 47 Now I will tell you what a man is like who comes to me, listens to my Gospel, and puts it into practice. 48 He is like a man who built a house, dug deep, and laid the foundation upon the rock. When the flood came, the torrent broke upon that house, but could not shake it. For it had been built upon the rock.
     49 “But whoever listens to my Gospel and does not put it into practice is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation. The torrent broke against it, and the house collapsed immediately. The wreck of that house was complete.”

St. Luke – Chapter 7

THE CENTURION

     1 When he had finished his sermon to the people, Jesus went to Capernaum. 2 Now the servant of a Roman centurion was sick and dying. The centurion valued him very highly. 3 So when he heard of Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him and asked him to come and heal his servant.
     4 They came to Jesus and begged him earnestly, saying: “He deserves to obtain this favor from you. 5 He loves our nation, and he built us a synagogue.”
     6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent some friends to tell him: “Lord, do not take the trouble. For I am not worthy to receive you under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not think it proper to come to you. But simply say a word, and my servant will be healed.
     8 “For I myself am serving in the army, and I give orders to the soldiers under my command. I tell one to go, and he goes. I tell another to come, and he comes. And I tell my servant to do this, and he does it.”
     9 When Jesus heard this remark, he was astonished. He turned to the people who were following him, and said to them: “I tell you, I have never found such a great faith even in Israel.” 10 When the messengers returned to the house, they found the sick servant restored to health.

THE SON OF THE WIDOW

     11 The day after, Jesus, accompanied by many of his Disciples and a large crowd, went to a city called Nain. 12 Just as he was approaching the gate of the city, a dead man was carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd of the townspeople accompanied her.
     13 When the Lord saw her, he pitied her, and said to her: “Do not weep.” 14 Then he went up and touched the bier. The bearers stopped. He said: “Young man, I tell you, rise up.”
     15 The dead man sat up and began to speak. Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 They were all overcome with awe, and they glorified God, saying: “A great Prophet has appeared among us. God has visited his people.”
     17 His fame spread all over Judea and the regions.

JOHN’S DEPUTATION

     18 Now the disciples of John reported to their master all the miracles performed by Jesus. 19 So John called two of his disciples, and sent them to Jesus to ask him: “Are you the Messiah whose coming was prophesied, or shall we expect someone else?”
     20 So the two disciples went to Jesus and said to him: “John the Baptist sent us to ask you: ‘Are you the Messiah whose coming was prophesied, or shall we expect someone else?'”
     21. In that very hour he healed many diseases, afflictions, evil spirits, and restored the sight of many who were blind. 22 So Jesus answered them: “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard yourselves. The blind see. The lame walk. The lepers are cleansed. The deaf hear. The dead are raised. The Gospel is preached to the poor. 23 And blessed is the man who will not turn away from me.”

JOHN THE BAPTIST

     24 As the messengers of John went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “You did not go to the desert to see a reed shaken by the wind. 25 You did not go to see a wearing fine clothes. Because those who wear fine clothes and live in luxury are to be found in the palaces of kings.
     26 “No. You went out to see a Prophet, and more than a Prophet. 27 For this is the man of whom God tells us in the Scriptures: ‘Listen, I send you my messenger to prepare the way for you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women, no one was greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he. 29 The common people listened, and the publicans obeyed God by receiving the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the dispensation which God had foreordained on their behalf. For they refused to be baptized by John.”

CHILDISH CRITICISM

     31 Then the Lord said: “To whom shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the market-place and shouting to their play-mates: ‘We played a jig for you, but you did not dance for us. We sang a dirge for you, but you did not weep with us.’
     33 “For John the Baptist came. He was neither eating nor drinking, and you said: ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 34 Now the Messiah has come. He is both eating and drinking, and you say: ‘Look, he is a glutton, a drunkard, a friend of publicans and sinners.’ 35 Nevertheless, divine wisdom has been vindicated by the achievements of all her Prophets.”

THE SINFUL WOMAN

     36 One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to dinner. So he went to his house and took his place at the table. 37 Thereupon a woman of the city, who was leading a sinful life, learned that he was having dinner at the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster flask of perfume, 38 stood behind him at his feet weeping, bathed his feet with her tears, wiped them off with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with perfume.
     39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this scene, he said to himself: “If this man were a Prophet, he would have known what kind of sinful woman is touching him.”
     40 Jesus answered him: “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He asked: “What is it, Master?” 41 Jesus replied: “A certain money-lender had two debtors. One owed him a him a hundred dollars, and the other ten. 42 As they could not pay him, he cancelled what they owed him. Now which one of them would love him more?” 43 Simon answered him: “I suppose the one for whom he cancelled most.” Jesus said to him: “You are right.”
     44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon: “Do you see this woman? I came to your house. You did not give me any water for my feet. But she has bathed my feet with her tears and wiped them off with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss. But from the moment I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head. But she has anointed my feet with perfume.
     47 “Therefore I tell you, her many sins are forgiven, because she has loved much. Whoever is forgiven little loves little also.” 48 Then he said to her: “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Those who were dining with him began to ask themselves: “Who is this man who forgives even sins?” 50 Then he said to the woman: “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

St. Luke – Chapter 8

PREACHING THROUGH GALILEE

     1 Soon afterwards, Jesus traveled through cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. He was accompanied by the twelve Apostles, 2 and some women he had cured of diseases, scourges, evil spirits, and infirmities. Among them were Mary called Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; 3 Joanna, the wife of Chusa, the manager of Herod; Susanna; and many others, who assisted him with their own means.

THE SOWER

     4 Large crowds were gathered around him, and people flocked to him from every city. He preached to them in a parable:
     5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some seed fell along the path. It was trampled upon and devoured by the wild birds. 6 Some fell upon the rock. But when it sprang up, it was withered, because it had no moisture. 7 Some fell among the thorns. But the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 Some fell on good soil, grew up, and yielded a hundredfold.”
     At the end of the parable, he exclaimed: “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
     9 His Disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He answered them: “It is granted to you to know the secrets of the Kingdom of God plainly. But all others must receive them in the form of parables. Thus they will look, but will not see. They will listen but will not understand. 11 Now this is the meaning of the parable.
     “The seed is the Gospel. 12 The ones along the path are those who hear it. But the devil comes and takes away the Gospel from their hearts. So they do not believe and are not saved.
     13 “The ones on the rock are those who hear the Gospel and receive it with joy. But they are too shallow to plant it deep in their hearts. So they believe for a little while. But in the time of temptation they fall away.
     14 “The ones among the thorns are those who hear the Gospel and pass on. For they are stifled by worries, wealth, and pleasures of life. So they produce nothing.
     15 “The ones on good soil are those who hear the Gospel with a noble and generous heart. They hold it fast, and yield fruit with perseverance.”

THE LAMP

     16 “Nobody lights a lamp and covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed. He places it upon a lamp stand. Then those who enter will see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden which will not be disclosed. There is no secret which will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore listen carefully. Whoever has much will be given more. And whoever has little will be deprived even of what he imagines he has.”

MOTHER AND BROTHERS

     19 Thereupon his mother and his brothers came to see him. But they could not reach him on account of the crowd. 20 Then someone told him: “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and want to see you.” 21 But he answered them: “My mother and my brothers are those who listen to the Gospel and practice it.”

THE STORM

     22 One day Jesus boarded a ship with his Disciples and told them: “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they put out. 23 As they sailed along, he fell asleep. Suddenly, a hurricane swept down the lake, swamped their ship, and endangered their lives. 24 So they came and roused him, saying: “Master, we are sinking.”
     He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. They lulled, and a calm fell. 25 Then he said to them: “Where is your faith?” Their terror turned to amazement. They said to one another: “Who is this man? He commands both the winds and the waves. And they obey him.”

THE DEMONIAC

     26 Later on, they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes. 27 As Jesus went ashore, he met a man from that city who had been possessed by demons for a long time. He did not wear any clothing and did not live in a house, but in the tombs.
     28 When he saw Jesus, he shrieked, fell down before him, and said in a loud voice: “What do you want from me, Jesus, Son of the Most High? I beg you, do not torture me.”
     29 Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to go out of the man. For he had been possessed by the demon for a long time. He was confined and bound with chains and shackles. But he managed to break the fetters, and was driven by the demon into the desert.
     30 Jesus asked him: “What is your name?” He answered: “Legion.” For many demons had gone into him. 31 They begged him not to order them to depart into the abyss.
     32 Now a large herd of swine was grazing on the mountainside. The demons implored him to allow them to go into them. He gave them leave. 33 So they came out of the man and went into the swine. Then the herd rushed headlong down the cliff into the lake, and was drowned. 34 When the herdsmen saw what had occurred, they ran away and reported the news in the city and in the country.
     35 The inhabitants went out to see what had taken place. They came to Jesus and found the demoniac sitting at his feet clothed and in his right mind. They were amazed.
     36 The eye-witnesses related to them how the demoniac had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the Gadarene neighborhood asked him to go away from them. For they were terrified. So Jesus boarded the ship and returned home.
     38 The demoniac begged to go with him. But Jesus dismissed him, saying: 39 “Go back to your home, and relate how God has healed you.” So he went away and proclaimed all over the city what Jesus had done for him.

JAIRUS

     40 On his return, Jesus was welcomed by the people, who were waiting for him. 41 Thereupon a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue, came to Jesus, fell down at his feet, and begged him to come to his house. 42 He had an only daughter, about twelve years old. And she was dying.

WOMAN WITH HEMORRHAGE

     As Jesus was going along, the people pressed around him. 43 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had spent all her money on doctors. But she could obtain no cure from anyone. 44 So she came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment. Her hemorrhage stopped immediately.
     45 Then Jesus asked: “Who touched me?” As all denied it, Peter said: “Master, the people around are pressing you, and you ask who touched you?” 46 But Jesus replied: “Someone touched me. For I know that healing power went out from me.”
     47 The woman saw that she had not escaped his notice. So she came forward trembling, and fell down before him. She declared in the presence of all the people for what reason she had touched him and how she had been cured immediately. Jesus said to her: 48 “Courage, my daughter. Your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS

     49 While he was still speaking, a messenger came from the house of the leader of the synagogue and said to him: “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Master any more.” 50 Jesus heard it and said to him: “Do not be afraid. Only have faith, and she will be healed.”
     51 When he reached the house, he allowed no one to enter with him except Peter, John, James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 They were all weeping and lamenting her. But he said to them: “Do not weep. She is not dead. She is asleep.
     53 They laughed at him. For they knew that she was dead. Jesus put them all out. 54 Then he grasped her hand and called aloud: “My child, arise.” 55 Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. Then Jesus asked them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were amazed. But he ordered them to tell no one what had occurred.

St. Luke – Chapter 9

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE APOSTLES

     1 Then Jesus called his twelve Disciples together, and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons, and to cure all diseases. 2 So he sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
     3 He said to them: “Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money, nor an extra coat. 4 Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave. 5 Whenever they do not receive you, depart from that city and shake off the very dust from your feet as a protest against them.” 6 So they departed and went from village to village preaching the Gospel and healing the sick everywhere.

HEROD

     7 When Herod the tetrarch heard all the deeds performed by Jesus, he was perplexed. Some said that John had risen from the dead, 8 some that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the ancient Prophets had come back to life.
     9 Herod said: “I have beheaded John. But who is this man about whom I hear such reports?” Consequently, he endeavored to see him.
     10 Then the Apostles returned and related to Jesus all they had done. He took them along and withdrew apart to a deserted spot of a city called Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds learned of it and followed him. He welcomed them, spoke to them about the Kingdom of God, and restored to health those who needed to be healed.

THE FIVE THOUSAND

     12 The day began to decline. So the twelve Apostles came to Jesus and said to him: “Dismiss the people and let them go to the neighboring villages and farms, where they may lodge and find provisions. For we are here in a deserted place.”
     13 He answered them: “You give them something to eat.” They said to him: “We have only five loaves and two fishes. Do you want us to go and buy food for all these people?” 14 For there were about five thousand men there.
     Jesus said to his Disciples: “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 They did so, and made them all sit down.16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke them, and gave them to his Disciples to pass to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied. The pieces left over filled twelve baskets.

PETER’S TESTIMONY

     18 Later on, Jesus went to pray by himself, apart from the Disciples who accompanied him. Then he asked them: “Who do the people say that I am?”
     19 They answered: “Some say, John the Baptist. Others say, Elijah. And others say that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life.”
     20 He asked them again: “But who do you say that I am ?” Peter answered: “You are the Messiah whom God has anointed.” 21 He warned them and commanded them not to disclose this secret to anyone.

FIRST PREDICTION OF THE PASSION

     22 Then Jesus added: “The Messiah will endure many sufferings. He will be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes. He will be put to death. But he will rise again on the third day.”

FOLLOWING JESUS

     23 Then Jesus added: “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, let him take up his cross daily, and let him follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
     25 “It does not profit a man at all, if he gains the whole world, but loses or ruins himself. 26 For if anyone is ashamed of me and of my Gospel, the Messiah also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory, the glory of the Father and his holy Angels. 27 Indeed, I tell you, there are some standing here who will live to see the Kingdom of God.”

THE TRANSFIGURATION

     28 About eight days later, Jesus, accompanied by Peter, John, and James, went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered and his garments became dazzling white. 30 Moreover, two men were talking with him. They were Moses and Elijah. 31 They appeared in glory and spoke of the martyrdom which he would undergo in Jerusalem.
     32 Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep. When they woke up, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him. 33 As they were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus: “Master, we would like to stay here. Let us erect three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what he was talking about.
     34 As he was still speaking, a cloud came and overshadowed them. They were frightened as they passed under the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud saying: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
     36 At the sound of this voice they saw that Jesus was alone. But they kept silent and they told no one in those days of what they had seen.

THE DEMONIAC

     37 On the following day, when they came down from the mountain, they were met by a large crowd. 38 Thereupon one of them shouted: “Master, I implore you, look at my son. He is my only child. 39 Well, he is possessed by a demon, and suddenly he shrieks, he is convulsed, he foams, and he falls down exhausted. 40 I asked your Disciples to cast the demon out, but they could not.”
     41 Jesus said in reply: “O you faithless and perverse generation! How long must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon flung him down and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 They were all amazed at the majestic power of God.

SECOND PREDICTION OF THE PASSION

     While they were all wondering at the miracles he was performing, Jesus said to his Disciples: 44 “Remember these words: The Messiah will be betrayed into the hands of men.”
     45 But they did not understand what he meant. Indeed their minds were blinded. So they could not perceive it. On the other hand, they were afraid to ask him about it.

THE LEADER

     46 Then a discussion arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus guessed the question that was in their minds. So he took a child, made him stand by his side, 48 and said to them: “Whoever receives this child in my name, receives me. And whoever receives me, receives the Father who sent me. For the least among you all is the greatest.”
     49 Thereupon John said to him: “Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name. But we stopped him, because he is not one of our followers.” 50 Jesus answered him: “Do not stop him. For whoever is not against you, is for you.”

THE SAMARITANS

     51 When the time of his ascension approached, Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem. 52 So he sent messengers before him, who went ahead and entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for him. 53 But the Samaritans refused to receive him, because he was evidently going to Jerusalem.
     54 When his Disciples, James and John, heard this report, they asked him: “Lord, do you want us to order fire to come down from heaven and consume them, as Elijah did?” 55 Jesus turned, reproved them, and said to them: “You have no idea how wrong you are. 56 For the Messiah did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” So they went on to another village.

SACRIFICES OF THE FOLLOWERS

     57 As Jesus was going along the road, a man said to him: “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus answered him: “The foxes have their holes, and the birds of the sky have their nests. But the Messiah has no place to lay his head.”
     59 He said to another: “Follow me.” He replied: “Let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him: “Leave the dead to bury their dead. You must go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”
     61 Another said to him: “I will follow you, my Lord, but allow me first to say farewell to my relatives at home.” Jesus answered him: “No one who puts his hand to the plough then looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

St. Luke – Chapter 10

THE SEVENTY-TWO DISCIPLES

     1 After these events the Lord appointed seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead of him, two by two, to every city or place which he intended to visit.
     2 He said to them: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. 3 Go your way. Remember, I send you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Do not stop to exchange greetings with anyone on the way.
     5 “Whatever house you enter, say first: ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If a peace-lover lives there, your blessing will rest upon him. But if not, it will come back to you. 7 Stay at the same house, eat and drink whatever they have to give you. For the laborer deserves his salary. Do not move from one house to another. 8 Whenever you visit a city and they welcome you, eat whatever they offer you. 9 Heal the sick there, and tell them: ‘The Kingdom of God is drawing near to you.’
     10 “But whenever you visit a city and they do not welcome you, go out into the open streets and say: 11 ‘We protest! We wipe off the very dust of your city that sticks to our feet. But you must know that the Kingdom of God is drawing near to you.’ 12 I tell you that on the Day of Judgment the sentence will be more lenient for Sodom than for that city.”

UNREPENTANT CITIES

     13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles performed before you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 Therefore On the Day of Judgment the sentence will be more lenient for Tyre and Sidon than for you. l5 And you, Capernaum, exalted as high as heaven, you will sink as low as Hades.
     16 “Whoever listens to you, listens to me. Whoever rejects you, rejects me. And whoever rejects me, rejects the Father who sent me.”

RETURN OF THE DISCIPLES

     17 Then the seventy-two disciples returned with joy, saying: “Lord, even the demons obey us in your name!” 18 Jesus said to them: “I have seen Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Remember, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents, scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy without any harm to yourselves. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits obey you. But rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
     21 At that moment Jesus was enraptured with joy, and said: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. For you have concealed all these secrets from the wise and intelligent, but you have revealed them to children. Yes, Father, for such was your good pleasure.
     22 “Everything has been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
     23 Then he turned to his Disciples, and said to them: “Blessed are the eyes which see what you see. 24 For I tell you, many prophets and kings wished to see what you see, and hear what you hear. But they did not see it and they did not hear it.”

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

     25 Once a lawyer rose up to test Jesus and asked him: “Master, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?” 26 Jesus answered him: “What is written in the Scriptures? What do you read in them?”
     27 The lawyer replied: “You must love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole strength, and your whole mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
     28 Jesus said to him: “You have answered rightly. Do that, and you will inherit everlasting life.” 29 But the lawyer, wishing to justify himself, asked him: “Who is my neighbor?”
     30 Jesus answered him: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among bandits. They stripped him, beat him, and went off, leaving him half dead.
     31 “By chance a priest was going down that road. He saw him, but passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise, a Levite came to that place and saw him, but passed by on the other side also.
     33 “At last, a Samaritan who was traveling that way, came upon him, saw him, and took pity on him. 34 He went up to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds, and bound them up. Then he put him on his mule, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
     35 “On the following day, he took out a couple of shillings, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him: ‘Take care of him, and whatever you spend besides, I will refund you on the way back.’
     36 “Now which one of these three proved himself a neighbor to the man who fell among the bandits?” 37 The lawyer answered: “The man who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him: “Go and do likewise.”

MARTHA AND MARY

     38 As Jesus went along, he entered a village. A woman named Martha received him in her home. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
     40 Martha was over-busy with much serving. So she went to him and said: “My Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.”
     41 Jesus answered her: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen that good part which must not be taken away from her.”

St. Luke – Chapter 11

PRAYER

     1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. After his prayer was over, one of his Disciples asked him: “Master, teach us how to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 He answered them: “When you pray, say:
     “Our Father, who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive all those who trespass against us. And let us not fall into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
     5 Then he added: “Suppose, one of you has a friend, to whom he goes at midnight and says: ‘My friend, lend me three loaves. 6 For a friend of mine has just come to my house from a journey, and I have nothing to offer him.’ 7 He will certainly feel like answering from within: ‘Do not bother me. The door is now locked. My children and I have gone to bed. I cannot get up and give your any bread.’
     8 “Yet I tell you, he will get up and give him as many loaves as he needs, not because he is his friend, but because he is so persistent.
     9 “Therefore I tell you: Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and you will enter. 10 For whoever asks will receive. Whoever seeks will find. And whoever knocks will enter.
     11 “No one of you fathers will give a stone to his son who asks him for some bread. No one of you will give a snake to his son who asks for a fish. 12 No one of you will give a scorpion to his son who asks him for an egg. 13 So if you, bad as you are, know enough to give good gifts to your children, your Father in heaven will be much more ready to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

BLASPHEMY

     14 One day, Jesus was casting out a dumb demon. When the demon had gone out, the dumb man spoke. The people were astonished. 15 But some of them said: “He is casting out demons through Beelzebub, the prince of demons.” 16 Others wanted to test him and asked him for a sign from heaven.
     17 Jesus guessed their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom which is at war with itself will come to ruin, and one house will fall after another. 18 So if Satan is at war with himself, how can his kingdom endure? For you assert that I cast out demons through Beelzebub. 19 Now if I cast out demons through Beelzebub, through whom do your own disciples cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if I cast them out through the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
     21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own castle, his property is safe. 22 But when somebody stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away the weapons on which he is relying, and distributes his spoils. 23 Whoever is not with me, is against me. And whoever does not gather with me, scatters.
     24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he roams through deserts in search of rest and can find none. Then he says: ‘I will go back to the house that I left.’ 25 So he returns and finds his house swept and decorated. 26 Then he goes and gets seven other spirits more wicked than himself. So they all enter and live there. Consequently, the man is worse off in the end than he was before.”
     27 As he made this statement, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said: “Blessed is the mother who bore you and nursed you.” 28 But he said: “Blessed are those who hear the Gospel and obey it.”

THE MIRACLE OF JONAH

     29 As the crowds were gathering around him, Jesus said: “This generation is wicked. They demand a miracle. But no miracle will be given them except the miracle of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a miracle to the people of Nineveh, so the Messiah will become a miracle to this generation.
     31 “The Queen of the South will rise up on the Day of Judgment against the men of this generation and will condemn them. For she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon. Now here is a greater man than Solomon.
     32 “The men of Nineveh will rise on the Day of Judgment against this generation and will condemn them. For they repented at the preaching of Jonah. Now here is a greater man than Jonah.”

THE LAMP

     33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a bushel. He puts it on the lampstand. Thus all those who come in will see the light.
     34 “Your eye is the light of your body. When your eye is sound, your whole body is illuminated. But when your eye is unsound, then your whole body is dark. 35 Therefore be careful. Your light must not be darkness. 36 If your whole body is illuminated without any corner of it in darkness, it will be full of light, as when a lamp lights you with its rays.”

THE WOES

     37 As he was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to breakfast with him. So he went to his house and took his place at the table. 38 The Pharisee noticed that he did not wash his hands before breakfast. He was astonished.
     39 Then the Lord said to him: “You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! You well know that the Creator of the outside made the inside too. 41 But give what you can in alms, and everything will be clean for you.
     42 “Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes for mint, rue, and every herb, but disregard justice and the love of God. You should have observed the latter, without neglecting the former.
     43 “Woe to you Pharisees! For you love prominent seats in the synagogues and respectful salutations in the market-place.
     44 “Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like unmarked graves over which men walk without knowing it.”
     45 Then one of the lawyers said to him: “Master, when you say that, you insult us also.” 46 Jesus answered him: “Woe to you doctors of the law also! For you load men with insupportable burdens, but you will not touch them yourselves with one of your fingers.
     47 “Woe to you! For you build monuments for the Prophets whom your forefathers killed. 48 So you testify to what your forefathers did and you approve it. For they killed them, and you build their monuments.
     49 “This is why the Wisdom of God said: ‘I will send prophets and apostles to them. They will kill them and persecute them.’ 50 Thus this generation will be responsible for the blood of all the Prophets that has been shed since the creation of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be responsible for all this blood.
     52 “Woe to you! For you have taken away the key to the door of knowledge. You have not entered it yourselves and you have kept out those who tried to enter.”
     53 After this sermon, the Scribes and the Pharisees began to watch him closely, and provoke him to say a great deal 54 in order to entrap him and accuse him with his own statements.

St. Luke – Chapter 12

THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES

     1 In the meantime, the people gathered in thousands until they actually trod upon one another. Then Jesus began to say to his Disciples first of all: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, and there is no secret which will not be disclosed. 3 Whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. And whatever you have whispered in private rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.
     4 “I tell you, my friends: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and can do nothing else after that. 5 I will show you whom to fear: Fear God who, after killing you, has power to cast you into Hades. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 You know that five sparrows are sold for two pennies. Yet not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are numbered. Therefore do not be afraid. You are more valuable than many sparrows.
     8 “Moreover, I tell you: Whoever acknowledges me before men will also be acknowledged by the Messiah before the Angels of God. 9 But whoever denies me before men will also be denied before the Angels of God. 10 Whoever speaks against the Messiah will be forgiven. But no one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the magistrates, and the authorities, do not be anxious how to answer or what to say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

AVARICE

     13 While Jesus was preaching, someone in the crowd said to him: “Master, tell my brother to give me my share of our inheritance.” 14 He answered him: “Who made me a judge or arbiter over you?” 15 Then he added: “Look out! Guard against all greed. For a man’s life does not depend on the abundance of his possessions.”
     16 Then he narrated a parable to them and said: “There was a rich man whose estate yielded plentiful crops. 17 So he asked himself: ‘What am I going to do? For I have no place to store my crops in.’ 18 Then he answered himself: ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my storehouses and build larger ones. There I will store up my crops and my goods. 19 Then I will say to my soul: Now, my soul, you have plenty of wealth laid up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.’
     20 “But God said to him: ‘You fool! This very night you must render up your soul. Then who will get what you stored up?’ 21 This will be the end of the man who lays up treasures for himself, but not with God.”

DIVINE PROVIDENCE

     22 Then Jesus said to his Disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about what you will eat to support your life, and what you will wear to protect your body. 23 By worrying you ruin your life which is more important than food, and you ruin your body which is more important than clothing.
     24 “Look at the ravens. They neither sow nor reap. They have no storehouses nor barns. But God feeds them. You are certainly much more valuable than birds. 25 Which one of you by worrying can add a cubit to his span of life? 26 Therefore if you have no power in such a small matter, why do you worry about the rest?
     27 “See how the lilies grow. They neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was never dressed like one of them. 28 Now if God dresses so beautifully the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, he will much more clothe you, men of little faith.
     29 “So do not seek what you will eat or drink, and do not worry about it. 30 For these are the comforts about which the Gentiles are worrying all over the world. Your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these comforts will be given you besides.
     32 “Do not be afraid, my little flock. For your Father has graciously given you his Kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Provide yourselves with purses which never wear out, with inexhaustible treasures in heaven, which no thief can approach and no moth can destroy. 34 For your heart will be wherever you store up your treasures.”

WATCHFULNESS

     35 “Be prepared and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return home from a wedding. Be ready to open the door for him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom their master will find watching when he returns home. Well, I tell you, he will gird himself, he will have them sit at his table. Then he will go around and wait on them.
     38 “Blessed are those servants whom their master will find watching, whether he comes late at night, or early in the morning. 39 You may be sure of this, that if the master of the house had known at what time the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you must be ready also. For the Messiah will come at an unexpected time.”
     41 Then Peter asked him: “My Lord, do you tell this parable for us, or for all alike?” 42 The Lord answered him: “Here is an opportunity for the faithful and wise steward, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give its members their food supplies at the proper time. 43 Blessed is the servant whom his master on his return finds fulfilling his duty. 44 Indeed, I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his property.
     45 “But that steward may say to himself that his master is not coming back for a long time. So he begins to beat the servants and the maids, to eat, to drink, and to get drunk. 46 Then the master of that steward will come back on a day when he does not expect him, and at an hour he does not know. Then he will punish him severely and assign him with the unbelievers.
     47 “The servant who knew his master’s wishes, but did not get ready and did not act upon them, will be flogged with many stripes. 48 But the servant who did not know, and did what deserved blows, will be flogged with few stripes. For of everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required. And of everyone to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”

GOSPEL CRUSADE

     49 “I have come to bring fire on earth. I wish it were already kindled. 50 I have to receive a baptism, and I am impatient for its accomplishment. 51 You think that I have come to bring peace on earth. Not peace, I tell you, but discord. 52 From now on, if there are five people in a house, they will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

RECONCILIATION

     54 Moreover, he said to the people: “When you see a cloud rising from the west, you say immediately: ‘It is going to rain.’ And it does. 55 Again, when you see the south wind blowing, you say: ‘It is going to be very hot.’ And so it becomes.
     56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the signs of the sky and the earth. Then why can you not interpret the signs of the present time.
     57 “Why do you not judge what is right for yourselves? 58 When you are going with your opponent before the magistrate, do your best on the way to settle with him. Otherwise, he will drag you to the judge. The judge will hand you over to the officer. And the officer will throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out again until you have paid your last penny.”

St. Luke – Chapter 13

REPENTANCE

     1 At that time, some people came up to Jesus and told him about the Galileans whom Pilate had massacred while they were offering their sacrifices.
     2 He answered them: “You think that those Galileans were worse sinners than any other Galileans, because they suffered such a punishment. 3 I tell you: No. Unless you repent, you will all perish likewise.
     4 “Again, you think that those eighteen people who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell upon them, were worse offenders than any other inhabitants of Jerusalem. 5 I tell you: No. Unless you repent, you will all perish likewise.”

THE BARREN FIG TREE

     6 Then he told them this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He went to get its fruit, but found none.7 So he said to the vine-dresser: ‘Listen! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree. But I have found none. Cut it down. Why should it waste the ground?’
     8 “He answered him: ‘My Lord, let it stand for this year also, until I dig around it and manure it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good. If not, you can cut it down.'”

THE DEFORMED WOMAN

     10 One day, Jesus was preaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. 11 A woman was there who for eighteen years had been obsessed by a spirit of infirmity. She was bent down and could not straighten herself up at all.
     12 When Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her: “Woman, you are released from your infirmity.” 13 Thereupon he laid his hands upon her. She was made straight immediately, and she glorified God.
     14 But the leader of the synagogue was indignant because Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day, and said to the people: “There are six days on which it is right to work. Come on them and be healed, but not on the Sabbath day.”
     15 The Lord answered him: “You hypocrites! Everyone of you unties his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath day and leads him away to water him. Now here is this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years. 16 Was it wrong that she was released from this bond on the Sabbath day?”
     17 All his opponents were put to shame by his remarks, while all the people rejoiced over the glorious miracles which he performed.

THE MUSTARD SEED

     18 Then Jesus said: “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became such a large tree that the birds of the sky built their nests in its branches.”

THE YEAST

     20 Again he said: “To what can I compare the Kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast which a woman took and covered up in three measures of flour until it was all leavened.”

THE NARROW GATE

     22 So he went through cities and villages teaching on his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him: “Will only a few be saved?” He answered: 24 “Try to enter by the narrow gate. I tell you, many will try, but will not be able to enter.
     25 “When the master of the house has gone in and shut the door, you will knock at the door, saying: ‘Lord, open to us.’ But he will answer you: ‘I do not know where you come from.’
     26 “Then you will begin to say: ‘We ate and drank in your presence. You preached in our streets.’ 27 But he will answer you: ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ 28 There you will wail and gnash your teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, while you are cast out. 29 Then many will come from east and west, from north to south, and they will sit at the table in the Kingdom of God. 30 Then some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”

JESUS AND HEROD

     31 On that same day, some Pharisees came to Jesus, and said to him: “Go, get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He answered them: “Go, and tell that fox: ‘Listen, I cast out demons and I heal diseases today and tomorrow. But I will be through on the third day. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on today, tomorrow, and the next day. For it is impossible for a Prophet like me to die outside of Jerusalem.’
     34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning the messengers of God! How often I have longed to gather your children around me, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings! But you refused. 35 Look! Now your house is desolate. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time when you will say: ‘Blessed is the Messiah who comes in the name of the Lord!'”

St. Luke – Chapter 14

A MAN WITH DROPSY

     1 On a Sabbath day, Jesus went to dine at the house of a leader of the Pharisees. So they were watching him. 2 Now there was a man in front of him who had the dropsy. 3 Jesus asked the lawyers and the Pharisees: “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day or not?” 4 But they made no answer. So he took him, healed him, and let him go.
     5 Then he said to them: “If your donkey or your ox falls into a ditch on a Sabbath day, anyone of you would pull him out immediately.” 6 They were unable to answer him.

PLACES OF HONOR

     7 Then he noticed that the guests were choosing the best places at the table, and gave them this advice: 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down in a place of honor. For someone more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 Then your host will come and tell you: ‘Make room for this gentleman.’ Then you will proceed with shame to take the lowest place.
     10 “On the contrary, when you are invited to a wedding banquet, go and sit in the lowest place. Then, when your host comes, he may tell you: ‘My friend, go up higher.’ So you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For whoever exhalts himself will be humbled. And whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

DINNERS FOR THE POOR

     12 Then Jesus said to his host: “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers, or your relatives, or your rich neighbors. For then they will invite you in return and you will be repaid.
     13 “When you give an entertainment, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then you will be blessed because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” 15 One of the other guests who heard him, said: “Blessed is the man who will attend the banquet in the Kingdom of God.”

THE GREAT BANQUET

     16 Again, Jesus said to his host: “A man gave a great banquet, to which he invited many guests. 17 When the banquet hour came, he sent around his servant to tell the guests: ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
     18 “All of them, with one accord, began to excuse themselves. The first one said to him: ‘I have bought a piece of land. So I must go and look at it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said: ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said: ‘I have married. So I am unable to come. Please excuse me.’ 21 The servant came back and reported these excuses to his master.
     “Then the master of the house was angry and said to his servant: ‘Go out quickly to the streets and squares of the city and bring in the poor, the cripples, the lame, and the blind.’ 22 The servant came back and reported: ‘Master, I have done what you ordered, but there is still room.’ 23 The master answered him: ‘Go out to the roads and the hedges, and compel everybody to come in until my house is full. 24 For I tell you that none of the first invited guests will taste of my banquet.”

FOLLOWING JESUS

     25 Then Jesus turned to the large crowds which accompanied him and said: 26 “Whoever comes to me, but does not renounce his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and even his own life, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not take up his own cross and come after me, cannot does be my disciple.
     28 “For everyone of you who wants to build a tower sits down first and estimates its cost. Then he can see whether he has money to complete it. 29 Otherwise, when he has laid his foundation, he will be unable to finish the building. Then all those who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying: ‘This man started to build, and was unable to finish.’
     31 “Likewise, a king, going to encounter another king in battle, sits down first and considers whether he is able with ten thousand men to meet the other king who is advancing against him with twenty thousand. 32 If he cannot, he will send envoys to the other king, while he is still far away, to sue for conditions of peace. 33 Therefore anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
     34 “Salt is good. But if it has been spoiled, how can it be restored? 35 It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill. It is simply thrown away. Whoever has ears to hear let him hear.”

St. Luke – Chapter 15

THE LOST SHEEP

     1 All the publicans and sinners were drawing near Jesus to hear him. 2 So the Pharisees and the Scribes grumbled, and said: “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
     3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Anyone among you who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, will leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go in search of the one which is lost until he finds it.
     5 “When he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders with joy, 6 and carries it home. Then he calls together his friends and neighbors, and says to them: ‘Congratulate me, for I have found the sheep I lost.’
     7 “Even so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous men who need no repentance.”

THE LOST COIN

     8 “Likewise, a woman who has ten shillings and loses one of them, will light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it.
     9 “When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, and says to them: ‘Congratulate me, for I have found the shilling I lost.’
     10 “Even so, I tell you, there will be joy among the Angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

THE PRODIGAL SON

     11 Then Jesus said: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father: ‘Father, give me my share of the property.’ So he divided his property between them.
     13 “A few days later, the younger son gathered all his possessions and went away to a distant country where he squandered his fortune in riotous living. 14 After he had spent everything, a famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went to work as the hired servant of a citizen of that country who sent him to his fields to tend swine. 16 He was ready to fill himself with the husks the swine were eating, but nobody would give him anything.
     17 “Then he came to himself and said: ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough to eat while I am starving here! 18 I will get up, go to my father, and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Receive me as one of your hired servants.’
     20 “So he arose and went to his father. While he was yet a long way off, his father saw him, and had compassion on him. He ran up, fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 The son said: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
     22 “But the father said to his servants: ‘Bring quickly the best garment and put it on him. Give him a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. 23 Get the fatted calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead, and he is now alive. He was lost, and he is now found.’ So they began to celebrate.
     25 “Now his elder son was in the field. As he returned and drew near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked him what it all meant. 27 He answered: ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’ 28 The older son was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and urged him to join them.
     29 “But he answered his father: ‘I have served you for so many years, and have never disobeyed a command of yours. Yet you have never given me a kid so that I might entertain my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your fortune with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
     31 “But the father answered: ‘My son, you have been always with me, and all I have is yours. 32 Yet we had to celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead, and he is alive. He was lost, and he is found.'”

St. Luke – Chapter 16

THE SHREWD STEWARD

     1 Then Jesus said to his Disciples: “There was a rich man who was informed that his manager was squandering his property. 2 Thereupon he called him and said to him: ‘What is this report I hear about you? Give me an account of your stewardship. For you can no longer be my manager.’
     3 “Then the manager said to himself: ‘What am I going to do, now that my master is dismissing me from the stewardship? I cannot dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I will do, so as to win friends who will receive me into their houses when I am removed from the stewardship.’
     5 “So he called his master’s debtors one by one, and asked the first: ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He replied: ‘Eight hundred gallons of oil.’ He said to him: ‘Take your bill, sit down at once, and write fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another: ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied: ‘One hundred bushels of wheat.’ He said to him: ‘Take your bill and write eighty.’
     8 “His master praised the dishonest manager, because he had acted very shrewdly. For the sons of this generation are shrewder in their own sphere than the sons of light. 9 Therefore I tell you, make friends for yourselves by using your unrighteous wealth helpfully. Then, after death, you may be received into the eternal habitations.”

GOD AND MAMMON

     10 “The man who is trustworthy over a small sum is trustworthy over a large sum also. The man who is untrustworthy over a small sum, is untrustworthy over a larger sum also. 11 So, if you have proved untrustworthy in using unrighteous wealth nobody will entrust you with true riches. 12 And if you have been untrustworthy about what belongs to another, nobody will give you what is your own.
     13 “No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and oppose the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
     14 The Pharisees, who were avaricious, scoffed at him when they heard this statement. 15 He said to them: “You love to display your righteousness, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
     16 “The Law and the Prophets prevailed until John came. Since then the Kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone enters it enthusiastically. 17 But heaven and earth will pass away before a single dot of the Law is dropped.
     18 “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery. And whoever marries a woman who has been divorced from her husband commits adultery.”

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

     19 “There was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived every day in luxury and splendor. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus covered with sores. 21 He was longing to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
     23 “In Hades, where he was tormented, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 He cried aloud and said: ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am consumed in this flame.’
     25 “Abraham answered: ‘My son, remember that you enjoyed your blessings in your lifetime, while Lazarus endured all his misfortunes. Now he is comforted here, and you are suffering there. 26 Moreover, there is a vast abyss between you and us. So none can cross over from our side to yours, nor from your side to ours.’
     27 “The rich man said: ‘Then I beg you, father Abraham, send him to my father’s house, 28 where I have five brothers. Let him warn them and prevent them from coming to this place of torture.’ 29 Abraham answered him: ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. Let them listen to them.’
     30 “He said: ‘No, father Abraham, if a messenger goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 Abraham replied: ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”

St. Luke – Chapter 17

TEMPTATIONS

     1 Then Jesus said to his Disciples: “Temptations inevitably have to come. But woe to the man who causes them. 2 He might better have a millstone hung around his neck and be thrown into the sea than lead astray one of these little ones.”

FORGIVENESS

     3 “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother wrongs you, reprove him, and if he repents, you must forgive him. 4 Even if he wrongs you seven times in the day and returns to you seven times, saying that he repents, you must forgive him.”

FAITH

     5 Then the Apostles said to Jesus: “Increase our faith.” 6 The Lord said: “If your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you may say to this mulberry tree: ‘Be uprooted and transplanted into the sea!’ It will obey you.”

GOOD-FOR-NOTHING SERVANTS

     7 “You would not tell a servant who is plowing or tending sheep, when he has come in from the field: ‘Come at once and sit down at my table.’ 8 You would rather say to him: ‘Get my supper ready, then dress yourself, and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can have your supper afterward.’ 9 Moreover, do you thank the servant for carrying out your orders? I do not think you do. 10 So you also, when you have carried out your orders, should say: ‘We are good-for-nothing servants. We have done only what it was our duty to do.'”

THE TEN LEPERS

     11 On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus was passing between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was entering a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance, 13 and cried aloud: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
     14 When he saw them, he said: “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” Thereupon, as they went, they were cleansed.
     15 Then one of them, when he noticed that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God aloud, 16 fell on his face at the feet of Jesus, and thanked him. He was a Samaritan.
     17 Jesus asked: “Well, all ten were healed. But where are the other nine? 18 How is it that no one has come back to glorify God except this stranger?” 19 Then he said to him: “Stand up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”

THE MESSIAH

     20 One day, Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come. He answered them: “The Kingdom of God is not coming visibly. 21 So the people will not say: ‘Here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For indeed, the Kingdom of God is in your midst.”
     22 Then he said to his Disciples: “The time will come when you will long to see the Messiah for one day only. But you will not see him. 23 So when people tell you: ‘Here he is!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not go, do not follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and shines from one end of the sky to the other, so the Messiah also will appear when his time comes. 25 But he must first undergo many sufferings, and be rejected by this generation.
     26 “As in the time of Noah, so it will be also in the time of the Messiah. 27 At that time, people were eating, drinking, marrying, and given in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark. Then the deluge came and destroyed them all.
     28 “Likewise, in the time of Lot, people were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building. 29 But on the day that Lot departed from Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 So it will be also on the day when the Messiah is revealed.
     31 “On that day a man who is on the housetop must not come down to takeaway his goods from his house. Likewise, a man who is in the field must not come back home. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever tries to save his life will lose it. And whoever loses his life will save it.
     34 “On that night, I tell you, one of two men lying on one bed will be taken and the other left. 35 Again, one of two women grinding together will be taken and the other left. 36 Of two men in the field, one will be taken and the other left.”
     37 Then the Disciples asked him: “Master, where will all these disasters occur?” He answered them: “Right here. Because wherever there is a corpse, there the vultures will flock together.”

St. Luke – Chapter 18

THE JUDGE

     1 Then he told them a parable to teach them that they must always pray and never lose heart: 2 “In a certain city there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man. 3 In that same city there was a widow who kept coming and saying to him: ‘Vindicate me against my adversary.’
     4 “For a time he refused. But then he said to himself: ‘I have no fear of God and no respect for man. 5 But this widow bothers me. I will vindicate her. Otherwise, she will wear me out with her incessant visits.'”
     6 Then Jesus added: “This is what the unrighteous judge said. 7 Now tell me, will not God vindicate his elect who cry to him day and night? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Yet, when the Messiah comes on earth, will he find men who believe in him?”

THE PUBLICAN AND THE PHARISEE

     9 Then he narrated the following parable to certain men who were persuaded that they were righteous and looked down on others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One of them was a Pharisee and the other a publican.
     11 “The Pharisee stood up and prayed thus to himself: ‘O God, I thank you that I am not greedy, unrighteous, and adulterous, like other men or like this publican here. 12 I fast two days in the week, I give tithes on all my income.’
     13 The Publican stood far off and would not even lift up his eyes to heaven. He only struck his breast, and said: ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, the publican went back to his house more justified than the Pharisee. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled. But whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

BLESSING OF CHILDREN

     15 One day some women brought their babies to Jesus and asked him to bless them. The Disciples reproved them. 16 But Jesus called them up and said: “Let the children come to me, and do not try to hinder them. For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who resemble them. 17 Well, I tell you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

THE RICH MAN

     18 One day, a certain official came to Jesus in order to test him and asked him: “Good Master, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?” 19 Jesus said to him: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.'”
     21 He answered: “I have observed all these commandments since my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard his reply, he said to him: “You still lack one thing. Sell all your possessions, distribute the proceeds to the poor, and you will possess a treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”
     23 When he heard this advice he became sorrowful, for he was very rich. 24 Jesus looked at him and said: “How hard it is for those who possess wealth to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
     26 Those who heard this statement asked him: “Then who can be saved?” 27 He answered: “What is impossible for men is possible for God.”

THE REWARD

     28 Thereupon Peter remarked: “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus replied: “Well, I tell you, whoever has forsaken home, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children for the Kingdom of God, 30 will receive many times more in this world, and everlasting life in the world to come.”

THIRD PREDICTION OF THE PASSION

     31 Later on, Jesus took the twelve Apostles aside and said to them: “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. Then everything written by the Prophets about the Messiah will be fulfilled. 32 For he will be handed over to the Gentiles. He will be ridiculed, insulted, spat upon, 33 flogged, and killed by them. But on the third day he will rise again.” 34 His Disciples could make nothing of this prophecy. Their minds were blinded, and they could not understand what he meant.

THE BLIND MAN

     35 As Jesus was approaching Jericho, he met a blind man who was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what it meant. 37 They told him: “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 Then he cried aloud: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
     39 Those who were in front reproved him and told him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more: “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 So Jesus stopped and ordered him to be brought to him. When he came near, 41 Jesus asked him: “What do you want me to do for you?” He answered: “Master, let me receive my sight.”
     42 Jesus said to him: “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.” 43 He regained his sight immediately, and followed him glorifying God. All the people who saw this miracle gave praise to God.

St. Luke – Chapter 19

ZACCHAEUS

     1 Later on, Jesus entered and was passing through Jericho. 2 Now there was a rich man called Zacchaeus, chief of the Publicans, 3 who wanted to see who Jesus was. But he could not because of the crowd. For he was small of stature. 4 So he went ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him as he was passing that way.
     5 When Jesus reached that place, he looked up, saw him, and said to him: “Zacchaeus, come down quickly. For I must lodge at your house today.”
     6 He came down quickly and received him joyfully. 7 When his opponents noticed it, they all grumbled, saying: “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man.”
     8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord: “Listen, Master, I will give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay him four times as much.”
     9 Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house, for he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Messiah has come to seek and save those who are lost.”

THE POUNDS

     11 As the people listened attentively, Jesus went on and told them the following parable. For his impending entry into Jerusalem made them believe that the Kingdom of God would be manifested immediately.
     12 Therefore he said: “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingship for himself and then return. 13 So he called in ten of his servants, gave them one pound apiece, and said to them: ‘Trade with them until I come back.’ 14 But his fellow-citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him to say: ‘We do not want this man for our king.’
     15 “When he had received his kingship and returned, he ordered the servants to whom he had given the money to be called in, and tell him what they had gained by trading. 16 The first one came in and said: ‘Master, your pound made ten pounds.’ 17 He said to him: ‘Well done, good servant. Since you have been trustworthy with a small amount, you will be governor of ten cities now.’
     18 “The second one came in and said: ‘Master, your pound made five pounds.’ 19 He said to him: ‘Well done, good servant. Since you have been trustworthy with a small amount, you will be governor of five cities now.’
     20 “Then another came in and said: ‘Master, here is your pound, which I have wrapped up and kept in a napkin. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a greedy man. You take up what you did not lay down. You reap what you did not sow. And you gather what you did not scatter.’
     22 “He said to him: ‘I will convict you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant. You knew that I am a greedy man; that I take up what I did not lay down; that I reap what I did not sow; and that I gather what I did not scatter. 23 Then why did you not deposit my money in the bank, so that I might have collected it with interest when I came back?’
     24 “Thereupon he said to his attendants: ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has the ten pounds.’ 25 They said to him: ‘Master, he has already ten pounds.’
     26 “He answered them: ‘The man who has much will be given more. And the man who has little will be deprived even of the little he has. 27 Now bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me for their king, and execute them in my presence.'”
     28 With these words he went ahead of them going up to Jerusalem.

THE MESSIANIC ENTRY

     29 As Jesus was nearing Bethphage and Bethany by the mountain called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his Disciples, 30 saying: “Go into the village opposite you. As you enter it, you will find a colt tied, on which no man has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.
     31 “If anyone asks you: ‘Why do you untie it?’ answer: ‘The Lord needs it.’ 32 The messengers went away and found everything as he had told them. 33 But as they were untying the colt, its owners asked them: “Why do you untie the colt?” 34 They answered: “The Lord needs it.”
     35 So they brought it to Jesus. Then they threw their garments on the colt and mounted Jesus on it. 36 As he rode along, many people spread their garments on the road.
     37 As he was coming down the Mount of Olives and approaching the city, the whole throng of his Disciples began to praise God loudly and joyfully for all the miracles they had seen, 38 saying: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
     39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him: “Master, reprove your Disciples.” 40 He answered them: “I tell you, if they keep silence, the very stones will cry aloud.”

LAMENTATION

     41 As he approached and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 and said: “If you only knew, especially on this day, what could bring you peace. But your eyes are blinded. 43 For the day is coming when your enemies will fence you round about. They will surround you. They will hem you in on every side. 44 They will throw you and your children to the ground. And they will not leave one stone upon another within you, because you did not recognize the time of my visitation.”

CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE

     45 Then Jesus entered the temple and began to throw out those who were selling and buying there, 46 saying to them: “It is written in the Scriptures: ‘My house must be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it a den of bandits.”
     47 From that time on, he was preaching in the temple daily. The high priests, the scribes, and the leaders were seeking to destroy him. 48 But they hesitated to take any action. For all the people hung upon his words.

St. Luke – Chapter 20

AUTHORITY

     1 As Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Gospel in the temple, the high priests, the scribes and the elders came, 2 and asked him: “Tell us what authority you have for acting as you do, or who gave you that authority?”
     3 He answered them: “I will ask you a question also. 4 Tell me, did the baptism of John come from heaven or from men?” 5 They reasoned within themselves: “If we say: ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us: ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 If we say, ‘From men,’ the people will stone us to death. For they are all convinced that John was a Prophet.”
     7 So they answered him that they did not know where it came from. 8 Then Jesus said to them: “Neither will I tell you by what authority I act as I do.”

THE VINEYARD

     9 Then Jesus narrated to the people the following parable: “A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenants, and went abroad for a long time. 10 At the proper season, he sent a servant to get his share of the fruits of the vineyard from the tenants. But they beat him and sent him back empty-handed. 11 Again, he sent another servant. But they beat him, mistreated him, and sent him back empty-handed also. 12 Again, he sent a third servant. But they wounded him also, and threw him out.
     13 “Then the owner of the vineyard said: ‘What can I do? I will send them my beloved son. Perhaps, when they see him, they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they reasoned among themselves: ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him and inherit his property.’ 15 So they drove him out of the vineyard and murdered him.”
     Then Jesus added: “Now what will the owner of the vineyard do with them? 16 He will come, he will put them to death, and he will lease his vineyard to other tenants.” When the Jews heard it, they said: “God forbid.”
     17 But he looked at them and said: “This is the meaning of the Scriptural passage: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.’ 18 If anyone falls on that stone, he will be broken to pieces. If the stone falls on anyone, it will pulverize him.”

TRIBUTE TO CAESAR

     19 The chief priests and the scribes wanted to arrest Jesus at that very hour. But they were afraid of the people. For they knew that he had aimed the parables at them. 20 So they watched him and sent agents, who pretended to be honest men and tried to obtain from him a seditious statement, which they could use for handing him over to the authority and jurisdiction of the procurator.
     21 So they asked him: “Master, we know that you are right in what you say and teach. You show no favor. And you preach the way of God in all sincerity. 22 Now is it right for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?”
     23 But he perceived their treachery, and said to them: “Why do you try to trap me? 24 Show me a coin. Whose effigy and inscription does it bear?” They answered him: “Caesar’s.”
     25 He said to them: “Then render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” 26 So they were unable to obtain from him a seditious statement in the presence of the people. On the contrary, they were amazed at his answer, and remained silent.

THE SADDUCEES

     27 Then some Sadducees who say that there is no resurrection, came to Jesus, 28 and asked him: “Master, Moses prescribed for us that, if a man dies childless leaving a wife, his brother must marry his widow and raise up a family for him.
     29 “Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife and died childless. 30 The second one married her and died childless also. 31 Then the third one, and likewise all the other brothers married her in turn and died childless. 32 Afterwards the woman died also. 33 Now at the resurrection whose wife will she be? For all of them married her.”
     34 Jesus answered them: “The children of this world marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are accounted worthy to attain that other world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Moreover, they cannot die again. For they are equal to the Angels, and become children of God through the resurrection.
     37 “Now even Moses indicated that the dead will rise again in the passage concerning the bush. There he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 So the Lord is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living, since all live in him.” 39 Some of the scribes said: “Master, your answer was excellent.” 40 So they did not dare to ask him any more questions.

SON OF DAVID

     41 Then Jesus said to them: “What do they mean by saying that the Messiah is the son of David? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Master: Sit at my right hand 43 until I put your enemies under your feet.’ 44 If David himself calls him Master, how can he be his son?”

THE SCRIBES

     45 Then, while the people were listening, Jesus said to his Disciples: 46 “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk about in long robes. They love respectful greetings in the marketplace, front seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at the banquets. 47 They devour the houses of widows, and they make endless prayers under any pretext. Therefore they will receive a heavier sentence.”

St. Luke – Chapter 21

THE WIDOW’S MITE

     1 Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich people putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 He noticed that a poor widow put in two copper coins, 3 and said to his Disciples: “Indeed, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 For they all offered gifts to God out of their abundance. But she, out of her poverty, offered all she had to live on.”

THE TEMPLE

     5 When Jesus was told how the temple was decorated with precious stones and votive offerings, he replied: 6 “The day will come when, of all these monuments you contemplate, not one stone will be left on another. They will all be thrown down.”

THE END

     7 His Disciples asked him: “Master, when will this disaster happen? What will be the preliminary signs of the approaching end?” 8 He answered: “Look out. Let no one mislead you. For many will come, saying: ‘I am the Messiah!’ and ‘The time is drawing near!’ Do not believe them. 9 Moreover, when you hear of wars and upheavals, do not be alarmed. For these events have to come first, but the end will not follow immediately.”
     10 Then he added: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. Terrible portents and omens will appear in heaven.”

PERSECUTIONS

     12 “But before all these events they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons. They will drag you before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
     13 “This will be a time for you to bear testimony. 14 Therefore resolve not to meditate beforehand how to make your defense. 15 For I will give you speech and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to refute or withstand.
     16 “You will be betrayed even by your parents, your brothers, your kinsmen, and your friends. Some of you will be put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will save your souls.”

DISASTERS

     20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must know that her devastation is at hand. 21 Then those who live in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those who live in the city must depart. Those who live in the country must not enter the city. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, when all the prophecies of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.
     23 “Woe to the pregnant and nursing women in those days! For there will be great distress in the country and fury against this people. 24 Many will fall by the edge of the sword. Many will be carried off as captives among all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
     25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars. The nations all over the earth will be dismayed and bewildered at the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 Men will faint with fear and apprehension of what will happen to the world. For the powers of heaven will be shaken.”

THE MESSIAH

     27 “Then they will see the Messiah coming down from the clouds with great power and glory. 28 When all these events begin to take place, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
     29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they put out their leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is at hand. 31 So also, when you see these events take place, you will know that the Kingdom of God is drawing near. 32 Well, I tell you, this generation will live to see all these occurrences. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

WATCHFULNESS

     34 “So look to yourselves. Do not let your hearts be overpowered by dissipation, drunkenness, and worldly cares. Otherwise, that day will overtake you suddenly. 35 For it will come like the springing of a trap on all those who live on the face of the earth. 36 Therefore watch at all times, and pray that you may be able to escape all these coming dangers and to stand before the Messiah.”
     37 Now in the daytime he was preaching in the temple. But in the evening he went off and spent the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 All the people came early in the morning to listen to his sermons in the temple.

St. Luke – Chapter 22

THE BETRAYAL

     1 In the meantime, the festival of the Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, drew near. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were still planning how to kill Jesus. But they were afraid of the people.
     Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve Disciples. 4 He went off and conferred with the priests, the scribes, and the captains of the temple how he could betray him to them. 5 They were delighted and agreed to pay him for it. 6 He accepted their offer, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the crowd.

PREPARATIONS

     7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover Lamb must be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying: “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover Supper.” 9 They asked: “Where do you want us to prepare it?”
     10 He answered them: “Listen. As you enter the city, you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him to the house he enters, 11 and tell the householder: ‘Our Master asks you: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover Supper with my Disciples?’
     12 “He will show you a large upper room furnished. Make your preparations there.” 13 So they went, found everything as he had told them, and prepared the Passover Supper.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST

     14 When the time came, he sat at the table with his Twelve Apostles. 15 Then he said to them: “I have longed eagerly to eat this Passover Supper with you before my Passion. 16 For I tell you, I will never eat one again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
     17 Thereupon he took the Cup, gave thanks, and said: “Take it and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
     19 Then he took bread, offered thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said: “This is my Body, which is given for you. Celebrate this Sacrament in my commemoration.” 20 Likewise, he took the Cup also after the Supper, and said: “This Cup is my Blood of the New Testament which is poured out for you.”

THE BETRAYER

     21 “But look, the hand of the man who will betray me is at my side on this table. 22 The Messiah will go away, as it was determined. But woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.” 23 Thereupon his Disciples began to question one another which one of them would perpetrate such an act.

THE LEADER

     24 A dispute arose among them as to which one of then should be considered the greatest. 25 Jesus said to them: “The kings of the Gentiles enslave them, and their rulers are called Benefactors.
     26 “But you must not do so. On the contrary, the greatest among you must become like the humblest, and the leader like the servant. 27 For which one is the greater? The master who sits at the table, or the servant who waits upon him? Of course, it is the master who sits at the table. Yet I am like a servant among you.
     28 “You are the ones who stood by me in my trials. 29 As my Father has conferred a Kingdom on me, 30 so I confer on you the right to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom, as well as to sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.”

PREDICTION OF DENIALS

     31 Then he said: “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has obtained permission to sift all of you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith may not fail. So when you are converted, strengthen your brethren.”
     33 Peter answered: “My Lord I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said: “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

THE SWORDS

     35 Then he added: “When I sent you out without any purse, or bag, or shoes, did you lack anything?” They answered him: “Nothing.” 36 He said to them: “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. Whoever has no sword, let him sell his mantle and buy a sword. 37 For I tell you that this passage of the Scriptures will be fulfilled in me: ‘He was reckoned among the transgressors.’ For whatever is written about me must be fulfilled.” 38 They said: “Lord, look! We have two swords here.” He answered: “That is enough.”
     39 Then he left the city and went up to the Mount of Olives, as he was accustomed to do. His Disciples followed him.

THE AGONY

     40 When he reached the place, he said to his Disciples: “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.”
     41 Then he withdrew about a stone’s throw from them, knelt down, 42 and prayed: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but your will be done.”
     43 An Angel appeared from heaven and strengthened him. 44 Jesus fell into an agony, and prayed more earnestly. His sweat looked like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
     45 When he rose up from prayer, he went back to his Disciples and found them asleep from exhaustion. 46 He said to them: “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not fall into temptation.”

THE ARREST

     47 While he was still speaking, there came a detachment of guards, led by one of the twelve called Judas. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him. For this was the signal he had given them: “The one whom I will kiss, he is the man.” 48 Jesus said to him: “Do you betray the Messiah with a kiss?”
     49 When his Disciples saw what was coming they asked him: “Shall we strike with our swords?” 50 So one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 Jesus answered them: “That is enough.” Thereupon he touched his ear and healed him.
     52 Then he said to the chief priests, the captains of the temple, and the elders who had come against him: “Have you come out with swords and clubs as against a bandit? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is the best opportunity for you who belong to the powers of darkness.” 54 Thereupon they arrested him, led him away, and took him into the house of the high priest.

THE DENIALS

     Peter followed him at a distance. 55 Then the servants of the high priest kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together. Peter sat down among them. 56 A maid saw him sitting near the fire, looked at him, and said: “This man also was with him.”
     57 But he denied it, and said: “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 Shortly after, a man saw him and said: “You are one of them too.” Peter answered: “Man, I am not.” 59 About an hour later, another man insisted: “This man was certainly with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied: “Man, I do not know what you mean.” Immediately, while he was speaking, the cock crowed.
     61 Thereupon the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered how the Lord had said to him: “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 Then Peter went out and wept bitterly.

BEFORE THE HIGH PRIEST

     63 The men who were holding Jesus mocked him and beat him. 64 They blindfolded him, slapped him, and asked him: “Prophesy, who struck you?” 65 And they kept on abusing him and reviling him.
     66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, the chief priests and the scribes assembled, brought Jesus before their council, and asked him: “Tell us, 67 are you the Messiah?” He answered them: “If I tell you, you will not believe. 68 If I ask you, you will not answer and you will not release me. 69 But before long I as the Messiah will be seated on the right hand of Almighty God.”
     70 They all asked him: “Are you the Son of God then?” He answered them: “I am as you say.” 71 Then they said: “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own mouth.”

St. Luke – Chapter 23

BEFORE PILATE

     1 Then the officials of the assembly rose and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They made the following accusations against him: “This man is stirring up our people. He urges them to refuse taxes to Caesar. And he claims to be the Messianic King.”
     3 Thereupon Pilate asked him: “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered: “Yes, as you say.” 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd: “I do not find this man guilty at all.”
     5 But they persisted and said: “He stirs up the people by his teaching all over Judea. He began in Galilee and he has come here now.”

BEFORE HEROD

     6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that he belonged to the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him to Herod who happened to be in Jerusalem during those days.
     8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad. He had wanted for a long time to see him, because he had heard so much about him, and he was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. 9 He asked him many questions. But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The Scribes and the high priests stood by and accused him vehemently.
     11 Herod and his soldiers treated him with scorn and ridicule. Then he arrayed him in a gorgeous robe and sent him back to Pilate. 12 So Herod and Pilate became friends on that day. For they had been enemies formerly.

BARABBAS

     13 Then Pilate called the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14 and said to them: “You brought me this man on a on a charge of stirring up the people. Well, I have examined him before you and I did not find this man guilty of any of your accusations against him. 15 Neither did Herod. For he sent him back to us. Certainly he has not committed any capital crime. 16 Therefore I will chastise him and release him.” 17 For at the festival he was obliged to release one prisoner for them.
     18 But they all shouted together: “Away with him! Release Barabbas for us.” 19 The latter had been thrown into prison for an insurrection which occurred in the city and for murder. 20 Therefore Pilate, who wanted to release Jesus, spoke to them again. 21 But they kept shouting: “Crucify him, crucify him!”
     22 For the third time, Pilate said to them: “What crime has he committed? I have not found him guilty of any capital crime. Therefore I will chastise him and let him go.”
     23 But they persisted and demanded loudly that he should be crucified. Their shouts and those of the high priests prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave his consent and granted their demand. 25 He released for them the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder. But he inflicted on Jesus the punishment they wished.

THE CYRENIAN

     26 As they led Jesus away, they seized a Cyrenian called Simon, who was coming in from the country, and forced him to carry on his back the Cross behind Jesus.

THE CRUCIFIXION

     27 Jesus was followed by a large crowd of people and of women who bewailed him and lamented him. 28 But he turned to them and said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For soon the day will come when men will say: ‘Blessed are the barren women, who have never borne nor nursed any children.’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains: ‘Fall on us!’ And to the hills: ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if men cut down a green tree today, you can imagine what they will do to the dead wood of Jerusalem tomorrow.”
     32 Two criminals also were led away to be put to death with Jesus. 33 When the soldiers arrived at a place which is called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” The soldiers cast lots to divide his garments. 35 The people stood by watching. The leaders jeered at him and said: “He saved others. Let him save himself, if he is the Messiah, the elect of God.”
     36 The soldiers also mocked him, came up to him, offered him vinegar, 37 and said: “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was also an inscription placed over him in Greek, Roman, and Hebrew characters: “This is the King of the Jews.”

THE TWO BANDITS

     39 One of the crucified criminals abused him, and said: “If you are the Messiah, save yourself and us.” 40 But the other reproved him and said: “Have you no fear of God? You are undergoing the same penalty as he. 41 We suffer justly indeed, for we are receiving the due reward of our misdeeds. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
     42 Then he said to Jesus: “Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him: “Well, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

DEATH OF JESUS

     44 It was now about the sixth hour. Darkness overspread the whole country until the ninth hour. 45 The sun was darkened, and the curtain of the temple was rent in two. 46 Then Jesus cried aloud: “Father, I commit my spirit into your hands.” With these words he expired.
     47 When the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God and said: “Indeed this was a righteous man.” 48 All the crowd of those who had gathered to witness this spectacle, when they saw these events, returned home striking their breasts. 49 All his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these occurrences.

BURIAL

     50 Now there was a man called Joseph, a member of the council, a good and righteous man. 51 He had not concurred in the decision and the action of his colleagues. He was from the Jewish town of Arimathea and waited for the Kingdom of God.
     52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid it in a sepulchre fashioned out of the rock where no one was laid before. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.
     55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, saw the tomb, and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned, and prepared perfumes and myrrh. On the Sabbath day, they rested according to the commandment.

St. Luke – Chapter 24

THE RESURRECTION

     1 Early in the morning of the first day of the week the Myrrh-bearers and their friends went to the tomb with the perfumes they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 But when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about it, two men in dazzling raiment suddenly appeared in front of them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground.
     But the men told them: “Why do you look among the dead for the living one? 6 He is not here. For he has risen. Remember that while he was still in Galilee, 7 he foretold you that the Messiah would be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, that he would be crucified, and that he would rise on the third day.”
     8 Then they remembered his predictions. 9 So they returned from the tomb and reported this news to the eleven Apostles and all the other Disciples. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and their friends who told this story to the Apostles. 11 But they thought it was all nonsense, and they did not believe them.
     12 Peter, however, got up, ran to the tomb, stooped down, saw nothing but the linen bandages, and went away wondering at what had happened.

EMMAUS

     13 On that very day, two of the Disciples were on their way to a village called Emmaus about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking about all these events. 15 While they were discussing and debating, Jesus himself approached and walked with them. 16 But their eyes were blinded, and they could not recognize him.
     17 He asked them: “What are you talking about? And why do you look so sad?” 18 One of them called Cleopas answered him: “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who does not know what has happened there in these days?”
     19 He asked them again: “What was it?” They replied: “It was about Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. 20 Our chief priests and leaders delivered him to be sentenced to death and crucified.
     21 “We hoped that he would be the redeemer of Israel. Now this is the third day since these events have occurred. 22 In the meantime, some of our women have startled us. For they went to the tomb early in the morning. 23 They could not find his body. And they came back saying that they had seen a vision of Angels, who declared to them that he is alive. 24 So some of us went to the tomb and found things exactly as the women had stated. But they did not see Jesus.”
     25 Then he told them: “O foolish and dull-witted men, unable to believe what the Prophets have foretold! 26 You know that Christ had to endure this passion and enter his glory.” 27 Then, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted the passages referring to himself throughout the Scriptures.
     28 In the meantime, they approached the village to which they were walking. He pretended to be going further. 29 But they pressed him, saying: “Stay with us, for it is late and it is getting dark.” He consented to stay with them.
     30 When he sat down at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Thereupon their eyes were opened and they recognized him. But he vanished from their sight.
     32 Then they said to one another: “This was the reason why our hearts burned within us when he was talking to us on the road and interpreting the Scriptures for us.” 33 So they got up immediately and returned to Jerusalem.
     There they found the eleven Apostles and their friends gathered together, 34 who told them that the Lord had really risen from the dead and that he had appeared to Simon. 35 Then they related their own experience on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

MANIFESTATION TO THE ELEVEN

     36 As the Disciples were discussing this incident, Jesus stood in their midst and said: “Peace unto you.” 37 Frightened and terrified, they thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 But he said to them: “Why are you upset and perplexed? Look at my hands and my feet, and be assured that it is really I. 39 Feel me and see for yourselves. A ghost has not flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
     40 After these words he showed them his hands and his feet. Still they could not believe their eyes, as they were wild with joy. Then he asked them: “Have you anything here to eat ?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb. 43 He took them and ate them in their presence.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

     44 Then he told them: “While I was still with you, I especially emphasized that all the prophecies referring to me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Thereupon he enlightened their minds and made them understand the Scriptures.
     46 He added: “It was written in the Scriptures that Christ should suffer, and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 that repentance and remission of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You must bear testimony to all these facts. 49 Remember, I will send you the Comforter whom my Father has promised you. Therefore stay in the city of Jerusalem until you are invested with power from on high.”

ASCENSION

     50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 While he was still blessing them, he parted from them, and was carried up to heaven. 52 They worshipped him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and remained continually in the temple praising and glorifying God.