FIRST READING Deuteronomy 4:32-40 Moses spoke to the people, saying, Ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of. Did any people ever hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live? Or has God ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him. Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you; and on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire. And because he loved your fathers and chose their descendants after them, and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence; by his great power, driving out before you nations greater and mightier than yourselves, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as at this day; know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you this day, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which the Lord your God gives you forever.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 77: 12-13. 14-15.16 and 2 l(R. 12a)
R/. I remember the deeds of the Lord.
I remember the deeds of the Lord,
I remember your wonders of old;
I muse on all your works,
And ponder your mighty deeds. R/.
Your way, O God, is in the holy place.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders.
Among the peoples you showed your power. R/.
Your strong arm redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
You guided your people like a flock
By the hand of Moses and Aaron. R/.
ALLELUIA Matthew 5:10
Alleluia. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Matthew 16:24-28
At that time: Jesus told his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
The Gospel of the Lord.