The word of the Lord.

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians

I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord;

I repeat, what I want is your happiness.

Let your tolerance be evident to everyone: the Lord is very near.

There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.