Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A First Reading and Responsorial Psalm

A reading from the book of Sirach.

Wrath and anger are hateful things,

yet the sinner hugs them tight.

The vengeful will suffer Our God’s vengeance,

         for the Most High remembers their sins in detail.

Forgive your neighbor’s injustice;

then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.

Should you nourish anger against your neighbors

and expect healing from Your God?

Should you refuse mercy to your neighbors,

yet seek pardon for your own sins?

If you who are but flesh cherish wrath,

who will forgive your sins?

Remember your last days, set hating aside;

remember death and decay, and cease from sin!

Remember the commandments, hate not your neighbor;

remember the covenant of the Most High,

and overlook faults.

The Word of God recorded in the book of Sirach.

R: Our God is tender and compassionate, slow to anger, most                 loving.

Bless Our God, my soul,

bless God’s holy Name, all that is in me!

Bless Our God, my soul,

and remember all God’s kindnesses.

R: Our God is tender and compassionate, slow to anger, most        loving.

In forgiving all your offenses,

in curing all your diseases.

In redeeming your life from the Pit,

in crowning you with love and tenderness.

R: Our God is tender and compassionate, slow to anger, most        loving.

Whose indignation does not last forever,

and whose resentment lasts for a short time only;

Our God never treats us, never punishes us

as our guilt and our sins deserve.

R: Our God is tender and compassionate, slow to anger, most        loving.

No less than the height of heaven over earth

is the greatness of Our God’s love for those who fear God;

The Most High takes our sins farther away

than the east is from the west.

R: Our God is tender and compassionate, slow to anger, most loving.