August 20, 2025, Memorial of St. Bernard, Abbott and Doctor of the Church.

A reading from the Book of Judges.

All the citizens of Shechem and all Beth Milo came together and proceeded to make Abimelech king

by the Tarabenth at the Memorial Pillar in Shechem.

When this was reported to him, Jotham went to the top of Mount Jerizum,

and standing there, cried out to them in a loud voice.

Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you.

Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves,

so they said to the olive tree, rain over us, but the olive tree answered them, Must I give up my rich oil whereby men

and gods are honored and go to wave over the trees? Then the trees said to the fig tree,

come, you rain over us, But the fig tree answered them,

Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit and go to wave over the trees?

Then the trees said to the vine, come you and rain over us. But the vine answered them,

Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men and go to wave over the trees?

Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, Come, you rain over us.

But the buckthorn replied to the trees,

If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith, come and take

refuge in my shadow. Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

The word of the Lord. The responseorial psalm. The response is, Lord, in your strength, the king is glad.

O Lord, in your strength, the king is glad. In your victory, how greatly he rejoices. You have

granted him his heart's desire. You refuse not the wish of his lips. Lord, in your strength, the king is glad. For you welcomed him

with goodly blessings. You placed on his head a crown of pure gold. He asked life of you. You gave him length of days forever and ever. Lord, in your strength, the king is glad.

...