First reading Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

‘She works with willing hands.’

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

The word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm Ps 128(127):1-2. 3. 4-5. ℟1a

Blessed are all who fear the Lord.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,

and walk in his ways!

By the labour of your hands you shall eat.

You will be blessed and prosper. 

Blessed are all who fear the Lord.

Your wife like a fruitful vine

in the heart of your house;

your children like shoots of the olive

around your table. 

Blessed are all who fear the Lord.

Indeed thus shall be blessed

the husband who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Sion.

May you see Jerusalem prosper

all the days of your life! 

Blessed are all who fear the Lord.

Second reading 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

‘Do not let the day of the Lord surprise you like a thief.’

Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers and sisters, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

The word of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation John 15:4a, 5b

Alleluia, alleluia.

Abide in me, and I in you, says the Lord.

Whoever abides in me bears much fruit.

Alleluia.