Liturgical Colour : White
Psalm 136 : 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
By the streams of Babylon, we sat and then wept as we remembered Zion. When on the poplars we hung our harps.
Our captors asked for song. Our tormentors wanted songs of joy : “Sing to us one of the songs of Zion!”
How could we sing the Lord’s song in a strange and alien land? If I forget you, o Jerusalem, may my right hand fall useless!
May my tongue cleave to my palate if I remember you not, if Jerusalem is not the first of my joys.
Liturgical Colour : White
Psalm 137 : 1-2a, 2bc-3, 4-5
I thank You, o Lord, with all my heart, for You have heard the word of my lips. I sing Your praise in the presence of the gods. I bow down towards Your holy Temple and give thanks to Your Name.
For Your love and faithfulness, for Your word which exceeds everything. You answered me when I called; You restored my soul and made me strong.
O Lord, all kings on earth will give You praise, when they have heard Your words. They will celebrate the ways of the Lord, “great is the glory of the Lord!”
Liturgical Colour : Green or Red (Martyrs)
Psalm 101 : 16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23
O Lord, the nations will revere Your Name, and the kings of the earth Your glory. For He will answer the prayer of the needy and will not despise their plea.
Let this be written for future ages, “the Lord will be praised by a people He will form.” From His holy height in heaven, the Lord has looked on the earth to hear the groaning of the prisoners, and free those condemned to death.
Your servants’ children will dwell secure; their posterity will endure without fail. Then the Name of the Lord will be declared in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship Him.
Liturgical Colour : Green
Psalm 18 : 8, 10, 12-13, 14
The Law of the Lord is perfect : it gives life to the soul. The word of the Lord is trustworthy : it gives wisdom to the simple.
The fear of the Lord is pure, it endures forever; the judgments the Lord are true, all of them just and right.
They are a light to Your servant, in keeping them they win a great reward. But who can discern one’s own errors? Forgive the failings of which I am unaware.
Preserve me from wilful sin; do not let it get the better of Your servant. Then shall I walk blameless and innocent of serious sin.
Liturgical Colour : Green
Psalm 42 : 1, 2, 3, 4
Make justice, o God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people; deliver me from the wicked and deceitful.
You are my God, my stronghold, why have You cast me out? Why should I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?
Send forth Your light and Your truth; let them be my guide, let them take me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You reside.
Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my gladness and delight. I will praise You with the lyre and harp. O God, my God.
Liturgical Colour : Green
Psalm 149 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Alleluia! Sing to the Lord a new song, sing His praise in the assembly of His saints. Let Israel rejoice in his Maker, let the people of Zion glory in their King!
Let them dance in praise of His Name and make music for Him with harp and timbrel. For the Lord delights in His people; He crowns the lowly with victory.
The saints will exult in triumph; even at night on their couches. Let the praise of God be on their lips. This is the glory of all His saints. Alleluia!
Liturgical Colour : White
Tobit 13 : 2, 3-4a, 4bcd, 5, 8
It is He who punishes and He who has mercy; who makes people go down to hell and rise up again. No one can escape His hand.
Give Him thanks, people of Israel, before all the nations. Though He has dispersed you among them, He now shows you His greatness.
Exalt Him before all the living, because He is our God and Lord, our Father forever.
He punishes us for our wrongdoing but again He will forgive us. He will bring us together again from amongst all the nations among whom we have been dispersed.
I, in the land of my captivity, will return Him thanks and show His strength and greatness to my sinful people. Be converted, you sinners, and live justly before Him, certain that He will be pleased with you and show you mercy.
Alternative reading
Psalm 126 : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
When the Lord brought the exiles back to Zion, we were like those moving in a dream.
Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with songs of joy. Among the nations it was said, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord had done great things for us, and we were glad indeed.
Bring back our exiles, o Lord, like fresh streams in the desert.
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs and shouts of joy.
They went forth weeping, bearing the seeds for sowing, they will come home with joyful shouts, bringing their harvested sheaves.
Liturgical Colour : Green
Psalm 121 : 1-2, 3-4a, 4b-5
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” And now we have set foot within your gates, o Jerusalem!
Jerusalem, just like a city, where everything falls into place! There the tribes go up.
The tribes of the Lord, the assembly of Israel, to give thanks to the Lord’s Name. There stand the courts of justice, the offices of the house of David.
Liturgical Colour : Red
Psalm 18 : 2-3, 4-5
The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the work of His hands. Day talks it over with day; night hands on the knowledge to night.
No speech, no words, no voice is heard – but the call goes on throughout the universe, the message is felt to the ends of the earth.
Liturgical Colour : Green
Psalm 53 : 3-4, 5, 6 and 8
By Your Name, o God, save me; You, the Valiant, uphold my cause. Hear my prayer, o God; listen to the words of my mouth.
Strangers are against me – the ruthless seek my life; they have no regard for God.
See, God is my Helper; the Lord upholds my life. Freely will I offer sacrifice to You and praise Your Name, o Lord, for it is good.
petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang 