The first reading is a reading from the book the prophet Micah.

Shepard your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, that dwells apart in the woodland, in the midst of Carmel.

Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as is in the days of old, as in days when you came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs.

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons, sin for a remnant of his inheritance,

who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have

compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt,

who will cast them to the depths of the sea all our sins.

You will show faithfulness to Jacob and grace to Abraham,

as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old, the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. The Lord is kind and merciful.

The Lord is kind and merciful. Bless the Lord, oh my soul and all my being, bless His holy name.

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits. The Lord is kind and merciful.

He pardons all our iniquities. He heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with kindness and compassion.

The Lord is kind and merciful. He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever.

Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

The Lord is kind and merciful.

For as the heaven are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him,

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.

The Lord is kind and merciful. My brothers and sisters, may our Lord be with you.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing

nearer to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying,

this man welcomes sinners and eats with them. So to them Jesus addressed this parable.

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