Sunday between 19 and 25 June    (if after Trinity Sunday)    

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading - Jeremiah 20.9-11a

A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah. I cannot hold back from proclaiming the Lord, or from speaking in the name of the Lord. The word of the Lord is like a fire in my bones, and I am powerless to hold it in. I am surrounded by those who denounce me. They watch for the opportunity to take their revenge. But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior, and those who work against me will not prevail. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Romans 6.3-11

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. If you die, you are no longer under the power of sin. And if, like Christ, you are then raised up from the dead, by the glory of the Father, you are no longer under the power of death. In his death, Christ died to sin, once, for all. And the life he now lives, he lives to God. In our baptism, we are united with Christ, in both his death and his resurrection. We die to sin, and we are raised up, by the glory of the Father, to live to God, in newness of life in Christ Jesus. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Matthew 10.16,28-31

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Jesus said to the twelve, ‘I am sending you out like sheep amongst wolves. Have the wisdom of serpents. And be as innocent as doves. Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, serve and honour God, who has power over both the body and the soul. Two sparrows are sold for a penny, yet not even a sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing it. So do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. Even the hairs of your head are all counted.‘ This is the Gospel of the Lord.