Mass Readings for August 26, 2023

Ruth 2:1-3,8-11,4:13-17
Psalms 128:1-5
Matthew 23:1-12

Ruth 2:1-3,8-11,4:13-17
(1) Naomi had a relative of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz. (2) Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I find favor.” She said to her, “Go, my daughter.” (3) She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech. (8) Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go to glean in another field, and don’t go from here, but stay here close to my maidens. (9) Let your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them. Haven’t I commanded the young men not to touch you? When you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink from that which the young men have drawn.” (10) Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, since I am a foreigner?” (11) Boaz answered her, “I have been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn’t know before. (13) So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh enabled her to conceive, and she bore a son. (14) The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you today without a near kinsman. Let his name be famous in Israel. (15) He shall be to you a restorer of life, and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” (16) Naomi took the child, and laid him in her bosom, and became nurse to it. (17) The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, “A son is born to Naomi”. They named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Psalms 128:1-5
(1) Blessed is everyone who fears Yahweh, who walks in his ways. (2) For you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you. (3) Your wife will be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house; your children like olive plants, around your table. (4) Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears Yahweh. (5) May Yahweh bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

Matthew 23:1-12
(1) Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, (2) saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. (3) All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. (4) For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. (5) But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, (6) and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, (7) the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. (8) But don’t you be called ‘Rabbi,’ for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. (9) Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. (10) Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. (11) But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. (12) Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.