First reading Amos 8:4-7

Against those who ‘buy the poor for silver.’

Hear this, you who trample on the needy

and bring the poor of the land to an end,

saying, ‘When will the new moon be over,

that we may sell grain?

And the Sabbath,

that we may offer wheat for sale,

that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great

and deal deceitfully with false balances,

that we may buy the poor for silver,

and the needy for a pair of sandals,

and sell the chaff of the wheat?’

The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob:

‘Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.’

The word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm Ps 113(112):1-2. 4-6. 7-8. ℟ cf. 1a, 7b

Praise the Lord, who raises the poor.

or: Alleluia.

Praise, O servants of the Lord,

praise the name of the Lord!

May the name of the Lord be blest

both now and for evermore! 

Praise the Lord, who raises the poor.

or: Alleluia.

High above all nations is the Lord,

above the heavens his glory.

Who is like the Lord, our God,

who dwells on high,

who lowers himself to look down

upon heaven and earth? 

Praise the Lord, who raises the poor.

or: Alleluia.

From the dust he lifts up the lowly,

from the ash heap he raises the poor,

to set them in the company of princes,

yes, with the princes of his people. 

Praise the Lord, who raises the poor.

or: Alleluia.

Second reading 1 Timothy 2:1-8

‘Prayers should be made for all people to God, who desires all people to be saved.’

Beloved: First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

  For this I was appointed a preacher and an Apostle — I am telling the truth, I am not lying — a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling.

The word of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation 2 Corinthians 8:9

Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus Christ, though he was rich,

yet for your sake he became poor,

so that you by his poverty might become rich.

Alleluia.