Australia Day

First reading

Isaiah 32:15-18

The spirit from above will be poured on us once more

Once more there will be poured on us
the spirit from above;
then shall the wilderness be fertile land
and fertile land become forest.

In the wilderness justice will come to live
and integrity in the fertile land;
integrity will bring peace,
justice give lasting security.

My people will live in a peaceful home,
in safe houses,
in quiet dwellings.

Psalm or canticle

Psalm 84(85):9-14

I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
 a voice that speaks of peace.
His help is near for those who fear him
 and his glory will dwell in our land.

Mercy and faithfulness have met;
 justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
 and justice look down from heaven.

The Lord will make us prosper
 and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
 and peace shall follow his steps.

Second reading

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

The Spirit distributes gifts to different people just as he chooses

There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose. One may have the gift of preaching with wisdom given him by the Spirit; another may have the gift of preaching instruction given him by the same Spirit; and another the gift of faith given by the same Spirit; another again the gift of healing, through this one Spirit; one, the power of miracles; another, prophecy; another the gift of recognising spirits; another the gift of tongues and another the ability to interpret them. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who distributes different gifts to different people just as he chooses.

Gospel

Matthew 5:1-12a

How happy are the poor in spirit

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
‘How happy are the poor in spirit;
 theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
 they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
 they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
 they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
 they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
 they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
 they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
 theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.’