Friday of the First Week of Lent (FEB. 19, 2016)

Reading 1 and//www.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/18:21 EZ 18:21-28 Thus says the Lord GODandIf the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed,if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,he shall surely live, he shall not die.None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against himhe shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?says the Lord GOD.Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil waythat he may live?And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil,the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,can he do this and still live?None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered,because he has broken faith and committed sinbecause of this, he shall die.You say, The LORD’s way is not fair!”Hear now, house of IsraelandIs it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,does what is right and just,he shall preserve his lifesince he has turned away from all the sins that he committed,he shall surely live, he shall not die. Responsorial Psalm and//www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/130and1 PS 130and1-2, 3-4, 5-7A, 7BC-8 R. (3)If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORDLORD, hear my voice!Let your ears be attentiveto my voice in supplication. R.If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,LORD, who can stand?But with you is forgiveness,that you may be revered. R.If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? I trust in the LORDmy soul trusts in his word.My soul waits for the LORDmore than sentinels wait for the dawn.Let Israel wait for the LORD. R.If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? For with the LORD is kindnessand with him is plenteous redemptionAnd he will redeem Israelfrom all their iniquities. R.If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand? Verse Before The Gospel and//www.usccb.org/bible/ezekiel/18:31 EZ 18:31 Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord,and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Gospel and//www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5:20 MT 5:20-26 Jesus said to his disciplesand I tell you,unless your righteousness surpasses thatof the scribes and Pharisees,you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,You shall not kill and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment,and whoever says to his brother,Raqa,will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,and there recall that your brotherhas anything against you,leave your gift there at the altar,go first and be reconciled with your brother,and then come and offer your gift.Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,and the judge will hand you over to the guard,and you will be thrown into prison.Amen, I say to you,you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”