A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.
Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.
What can I do with you, Ephraim?/ What can I do with you, Judah?/ Your piety is like a morning cloud,/ like the dew that early passes away./ For this reason I smote them through the prophets,/ I slew them by the words of my mouth;/ For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,/ and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
I will heal their defection, says the Lord,/ I will love them freely;/ for my wrath is turned away from them./ I will be like the dew for Israel:/ he shall blossom like the lily;/ He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,/ and put forth his shoots./ His splendor shall be like the olive tree/ and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar./ Again they shall dwell in his shade/ and raise grain;/ They shall blossom like the vine,/ and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied: “The first is this: Hear, O Israel!
I will heal their defection, says the Lord,/ I will love them freely;/ for my wrath is turned away from them./ I will be like the dew for Israel:/ he shall blossom like the lily;/ He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,/ and put forth his shoots./ His splendor shall be like the olive tree/ and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar./ Again they shall dwell in his shade/ and raise grain;/ They shall blossom like the vine,/ and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
Thus says the Lord: This is what I commanded my people: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people.
Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.
