A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

Coming down the mountain with them, Jesus stopped at a level stretch where there were many disciples; a large crowd of people was with them from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coast of Tyre and Sidon.  Raising his eyes to the disciples, Jesus said:

“Blest are you poor; the reign of God is yours.

Blest are you who hunger; you shall be filled.

Blest are you who are weeping; you shall laugh.

Blest shall you be when people hate you,

when they ostracize and insult you

and proscribe your name as evil

because of the Chosen One.

On the day they do so, rejoice and exult,

for your reward shall be great in heaven.

Thus it was that their ancestors treated the prophets.

But woe to you rich, for your consolation is now.

Woe to you who are full; you shall go hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now; you shall weep in your grief.

Woe to you when all speak well of you.

Their ancestors treated the false prophets in just this way.”

The Good News as spoken through Luke.