Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany

DOUBLE/GREEN

Just as the tiny infant in Mary's arms grew into the physical maturity of Calvary's victim, so His Mystical Body, started with Mary and the Apostles, has spread over the earth, and will continue to grow until the maturity of Judgment Day. In the lives of the martyrs and the saints, in the solid virtue of every genuine Christian, and in every noble word and deed, the irresistible power of Christ shines victoriously. Quietly as leaven spreads by cell dividing from cell, Jesus becomes known to men through those who bear His name, live His life, speak His truth--and share all this with others.

INTROIT Ps. 96:7-8

Adore God, all you His Angels: Sion heard, and was glad: and the daughters of Juda rejoiced. (Psalm) The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad. 

V.: Glory be to the Father. Adore God, all you His Angels...

COLLECT

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that ever pondering on reasonable things, we may accomplish, both in words and works, that which is pleasing in Thy sight. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE 1 Thes. 1:2-10

Brethren, We give thanks to God always for you all, making a rembrance of you in our prayers without ceasing, being mindful of the work of your faith and labor and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father: knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election: for our Gospel hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fulness, as you know what nammer of men we have been among you for your sakes. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every place your faith, which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves relate of us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven (Whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.

GRADUAL Ps. 101:15-17

The Gentiles shall fear Thy Name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. For the Lord hath built up Sion: and He shall be seen in His glory.

Alleluia Ps. 96:1

Alleluia, alleluia. The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice, let many islands be glad. Alleluia GOSPEL Matt. 13:13-35 At that time Jesus spoke to the multitudes this parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: which is the least indeed of all seeds but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and dwell in the branches thereof." Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened." All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables He did not speak to them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world." OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 117:16-17 The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me: I shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works of the Lord. SECRET May this offering O Lord, we beseech Thee, cleanse and renew us, guide and protect us. Through our Lord. COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 4:22 All wondered at these things which proceeded from the mouth of God. POSTCOMMUNION Being fed, O Lord, with heavenly delights, we beseech Thee, that we may ever hunger after things by which we truly live. Through our Lord .