Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time (July 16, 2016)

Reading 1 and//www.usccb.org/bible/micah/2and1 MIC 2and1-5 Woe to those who plan iniquity,and work out evil on their couchesIn the morning light they accomplish itwhen it lies within their power.They covet fields, and seize themhouses, and they take themThey cheat an owner of his house,a man of his inheritance.Therefore thus says the LORDandBehold, I am planning against this race an evilfrom which you shall not withdraw your necksNor shall you walk with head high,for it will be a time of evil.On that day a satire shall be sung over you,and there shall be a plaintive chantand Our ruin is complete,our fields are portioned out among our captors,The fields of my people are measured out,and no one can get them back!”Thus you shall have no oneto mark out boundaries by lotin the assembly of the LORD. Responsorial Psalm and//www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/10and1 PS 10and1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14 R. (12b)Do not forget the poor, O Lord!Why, O LORD, do you stand aloof?Why hide in times of distress?Proudly the wicked harass the afflicted,who are caught in the devices the wicked have contrived.R.Do not forget the poor, O Lord!For the wicked man glories in his greed,and the covetous blasphemes, sets the LORD at nought.The wicked man boasts, He will not avenge it” There is no God,” sums up his thoughts.R.Do not forget the poor, O Lord!His mouth is full of cursing, guile and deceitunder his tongue are mischief and iniquity.He lurks in ambush near the villagesin hiding he murders the innocenthis eyes spy upon the unfortunate.R.Do not forget the poor, O Lord!You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow,taking them in your hands.On you the unfortunate man dependsof the fatherless you are the helper.R.Do not forget the poor, O Lord! Alleluia and//www.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/5:19 2 COR 5:19 R.Alleluia, alleluia.God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.R.Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel and//www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12:14 MT 12:14-21 The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesusto put him to death.When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.Many people followed him, and he cured them all,but he warned them not to make him known.This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophetandBehold, my servant whom I have chosen,my beloved in whom I delightI shall place my Spirit upon him,and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.He will not contend or cry out,nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.A bruised reed he will not break,a smoldering wick he will not quench,until he brings justice to victory.And in his name the Gentiles will hope.