First readingMicah 7 : 14 - 15 , 18 - 20 © With shepherd ’ s crook , O Lord , lead your people to pasture , the flock that is your heritage , living confined in a forestwith meadow land all around . Let them pasture in Bashan and Gileadas in the days of old . As in the days when you came out of Egyptgrant us to see wonders . What god can compare with you : taking fault away , pardoning crime , not cherishing anger for everbut delighting in showing mercy ? Once more have pity on us , tread down our faults , to the bottom of the seathrow all our sins . Grant Jacob your faithfulness , and Abraham your mercy , as you swore to our fathersfrom the days of long ago . GospelMatthew 12 : 46 - 50 © Jesus was speaking to the crowds when his mother and his brothers appeared ; they were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him . But to the man who told him this Jesus replied , ‘ Who is my mother ? Who are my brothers ? ’ And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said , ‘ Here are my mother and my brothers . Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven , he is my brother and sister and mother . ’