Jericho

First Reading 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 10From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. 11In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us." 12This proposal pleased them, 13and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. 14So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, 15and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil. 41Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, 42and that each should give up his customs. 43All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath. 54Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah, 55and burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. 56The books of the law which they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. 57Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of any one, or if any one adhered to the law, the decree of the king condemned him to death. 62But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. 63They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Responsorial Psalm Psalms 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158 53Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake thy law. 61Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget thy law. 134Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep thy precepts. 150They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from thy law. 155Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek thy statutes. 158I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep thy commands. Gospel Luke 18:35-43 35As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." 42And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.