First reading Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
‘I saw water flowing from the Temple, and all to whom this water came were saved.’
In those days: The angel brought me back to the door of the Temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the Temple towards the east (for the Temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the Temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me round on the outside to the outer gate that faces towards the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side.
And he said to me, ‘This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.’
The word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalm Ps 46(45):2-3. 5-6. 8-9. ℟5
The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place, the abode of the Most High.
God is for us a refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in time of distress:
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock,
though the mountains quake to the heart of the sea.
The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place, the abode of the Most High.
The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place, the abode of the Most High.
God is in her midst, she cannot be shaken;
God will help her at the dawning of the day.
The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place, the abode of the Most High.
The Lord of hosts is with us:
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come and behold the works of the Lord,
the awesome deeds he has done on the earth.
The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place, the abode of the Most High.
Second reading 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17
‘You are God’s temple.’
Brothers and Sisters: You are God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
The word of the Lord
Gospel Acclamation 2 Chronicles 7:16
Alleluia, alleluia.
I have chosen and consecrated this house, says the Lord,
that my name may be there for ever.
Alleluia.