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First reading: Ecclesiasticus 17:20-28
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To those who repent, God permits return,
and he encourages those who were losing hope.
Return to the Lord and leave sin behind,
plead before his face and lessen your offence.
Come back to the Most High and turn away from iniquity,
and hold in abhorrence all that is foul.
Who will praise the Most High in Sheol,
if the living do not do so by giving glory to him?
To the dead, as to those who do not exist, praise is unknown,
only those with life and health can praise the Lord.
How great is the mercy of the Lord,
his pardon on all those who turn towards him!
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31(32):1-2,5-7
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Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just!
Happy the man whose offence is forgiven,
whose sin is remitted.
O happy the man to whom the Lord
imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no guile.
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just!
But now I have acknowledged my sins;
my guilt I did not hide.
I said: ‘I will confess
my offence to the Lord.’
And you, Lord, have forgiven
the guilt of my sin.
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just!
So let every good man pray to you
in the time of need.
The floods of water may reach high
but him they shall not reach.
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just!
You are my hiding place, O Lord;
you save me from distress.
You surround me with cries of deliverance.
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just!
Alleluia, alleluia!
Accept God’s message for what it really is:
God’s message, and not some human thinking.
Alleluia!