Mass Readings for October 5, 2023

Nehemiah 8:1-12
Psalms 19:8-11
Luke 10:1-12

Nehemiah 8:1-12
(1) All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the wide place that was in front of the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel. (2) Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. (3) He read from it before the wide place that was in front of the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those who could understand. The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. (4) Ezra the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. (5) Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people), and when he opened it, all the people stood up. (6) Then Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God. All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands. They bowed their heads, and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground. (7) Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law; and the people stayed in their place. (8) They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading. (9) Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, “Today is holy to Yahweh your God. Don’t mourn, nor weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. (10) Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.” (11) So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Hold your peace, for the day is holy. Don’t be grieved.” (12) All the people went their way to eat, to drink, to send portions, and to celebrate, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

Psalms 19:8-11
(8) Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. (9) The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. (10) More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. (11) Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward.

Luke 10:1-12
(1) Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place, where he was about to come. (2) Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest. (3) Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. (4) Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way. (5) Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ (6) If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. (7) Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house. (8) Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you. (9) Heal the sick who are therein, and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’ (10) But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say, (11) ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’ (12) I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.