First Reading: Is 55:10-11
Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
so shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
my word shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14
Response– The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest
You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God's watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
R– The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest
Thus have you prepared the land: drenching its furrows,
breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
R– The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.
R– The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest
The fields are garmented with flocks
and the valleys blanketed with grain.
They shout and sing for joy.
R– The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest
Second Reading: Romans 8:18-23
Brothers and sisters:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Alleluia:
Alleluia, alleluia. The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.
All who come to him will have life forever. Alleluia, alleluia.
