Saint Monica

First reading

Ecclesiasticus 26:1-4,13-16

A perfect wife is the joy of her husband

Happy the husband of a really good wife;
 the number of her days will be doubled.
A perfect wife is the joy of her husband,
 he will live out his years in peace.
A good wife is the best of portions,
 reserved for those who fear the Lord:
rich or poor, they will be glad of heart,
 cheerful of face, whatever the season.
The grace of a wife will charm her husband,
 her accomplishments will make him the stronger.
A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,
 no price can be put on a well-trained character.
A modest wife is a boon twice over,
 a chaste character cannot be weighed on scales.
Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord
 is the beauty of a good wife in a well-kept house.

Psalm or canticle

Psalm 130(131)

O Lord, my heart is not proud
 nor haughty my eyes.
I have not gone after things too great
 nor marvels beyond me.

Truly I have set my soul
 in silence and peace.
A weaned child on its mother’s breast,
 even so is my soul.

O Israel, hope in the Lord
 both now and forever.

Gospel

Luke 7:11-17

The only son of his mother, and she a widow

Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said. Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you to get up.’ And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people.’ And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.