The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

Official Translation

Reading 1 - 1 John 2.18-21

Little children, these are the end times,
and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming,
even now many antichrists have appeared.
By this we know that it is the final hour.
They went out from us, but they did not belong to us;
for if they had belonged to us,
they would have continued with us.
But they left, that they might be revealed
as not belonging to us.
You have an anointing from the Holy One,
and you all have knowledge.
I have not written to you because
you do not know the truth,
but because you do know it,
and because no lie is of the truth.

Responsorial - Psalm 96.1-2, 11-12, 13 Resp. 11a

R. Let the heavens exult and the earth rejoice.

Sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord! Bless his name!
Proclaim his salvation from day to day!

R. Let the heavens exult and the earth rejoice.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.
Let the sea roar, and its fullness!
Let the field and all that is in it exult!
Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy

R. Let the heavens exult and the earth rejoice.

They will rejoice before the Lord; for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth.
He will rule the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.

R. Let the heavens exult and the earth rejoice.

Gospel - John 1.1-18

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him.
Without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of humans.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

There came a man, sent from God,
whose name was John.
He came as a witness, that he might testify about the light,
that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but was sent that he might testify about the light.
The true light that enlightens everyone
was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world was made through him,
but the world did not recognize him.
He came to his own,
and those who were his own did not receive him.

But as many as received him,
to them he gave the right
to become God’s children,
to those who believe in his name:
who were born not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man,
but of God.

The Word became flesh, and lived among us.
We saw his glory,
such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John testified about him.
He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said,
‘He who comes after me has surpasses me,
for he was before me.’”
From his fullness we all received grace instead of grace.
For the law was given through Moses,
but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The one and only Son, God, who is in the bosom of the Father,
has revealed him.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Official Translation

Reading 1 - Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3

The word of the Lord came
to Abram in a vision, saying,
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your exceedingly great reward.”
Abram said, “Lord God, what will you give me,
since I continue childless,
and the one who will inherit my estate
is Eliezer of Damascus?”
Abram said,
“Behold, to me you have given no offspring,
and behold, one of my household is my heir.”
Behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying,
“This man will not be your heir,
but he who will come from your body
will be your heir.”
The Lord brought him outside, and said,
“Look now toward the sky, and count the stars,
if you are able to count them.”
He said to Abram, “So shall your descendents be.”
He believed the Lord;
and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.

The Lord visited Sarah as he had said,
and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised.
Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age,
at the set time of which God had promised.
Abraham named his son who was born to him,
whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.

Or Hebrews 11:8,11-12,17-19

Brothers and Sisters:
By faith, Abraham, when he was called,
obeyed, going to the place
which he was to receive as an inheritance.
He went out, not knowing where he went.

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive,
and she bore a child when she was past the age,
since she counted him faithful who had promised.
Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude,
and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore,
were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.

By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac.
Yes, he who had received the promises
was offering up his only son.
He to whom it was said, “In Isaac will your offspring be named”,
concluded that God is able to raise up even from the dead.
Figuratively speaking, he did receive him back from the dead.

Responsorial - Psalm 128.1-2, 3, 4-5 Resp. 1

R. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways.
For you will eat the labor of your hands.
You will be happy, and it will be well with you.

R. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.

Your wife will be as a fruitful vine,
in the innermost parts of your house;
your children like olive plants, around your table.

R. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.

Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion,
and may you see the good of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.

R. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.

Or Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 Resp. 5a

R. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord.

How lovely are your dwellings, Lord of Hosts!
My soul longs, and even faints for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

R. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house.
They are always praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you;
who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage.

R. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord.

Lord of Hosts, hear my prayer.
Listen, O God of Jacob.
Behold, O God, our shield,
look at the face of your anointed.

R. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord.

Gospel - Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22, 39-40

When the days were fulfilled of
their purification according to the law of Moses
Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem,
to present him to the Lord
as it is written in the law of the Lord:
“Every male who opens the womb
shall be called holy to the Lord”,
and to offer a sacrifice
according to that which is said
in the law of the Lord:
“A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
looking for the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was on him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
He came in the Spirit into the temple.

When the parents brought in the child, Jesus,
to do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
he took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
“Now you may release your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things
which were spoken concerning him,
and Simeon blessed them,
and said to Mary, his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign which will be contradicted.
(Indeed, a sword will pierce through your own soul)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel,
of the tribe of Asher.
She was of a great age,
having lived with a husband
seven years from her virginity,
and as a widow for about eighty-four years.
She did not depart from the temple,
worshiping with fasting and petitions night and day.
Coming up at the same hour,
she gave thanks to the Lord,
and spoke of him to all those
who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
When they had accomplished all things
that were according to the law of the Lord,
they returned into Galilee,
to their own city, Nazareth.
The child grew,
and became strong in spirit,
being filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was upon him.

The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Official Translation

Reading 1 – 1 John 2.3-11

Beloved:
This is how we know
that we have come to know Jesus:
if we keep his commandments.
The one who says that they know him
but does keep his commandments,
is a liar and the truth is not in them.
But whoever keeps his word,
God’s love has most certainly been perfected in him.
This is how we know that we are in him:
the one who says that they remain in him
ought themself also walk just like he walked.

Beloved, I write no new commandment to you,
but an old commandment
which you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word which you heard.
Still, The commandment I write to you is new,
which is true in him and in you;
because the darkness is passing away,
and the true light already shines.
The one who says they are in the light
but hates their brother,
is in the darkness even until now.
The one who loves their brother remains in the light,
and there is no occasion for stumbling in them,
but the one who hates their brother is in the darkness,
and walks in the darkness,
and does not know where they are going,
because the darkness has blinded their eyes.

Responsorial – Psalm 96.1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6 Resp. 11a

R. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.

Sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord! Bless his name!

R. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.

Proclaim his salvation from day to day!
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.

R. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.

The Lord made the heavens.
Glory and majesty are before his face.
Strength and exultation are in his sanctuary.

R. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.

Gospel – Luke 2.22-35

When the days were fulfilled of
their purification according to the law of Moses
Mary and Joseph brought Jesus up to Jerusalem,
to present him to the Lord
as it is written in the law of the Lord:
“Every male who opens the womb
shall be called holy to the Lord”,
and to offer a sacrifice
according to that which is said
in the law of the Lord:
“A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
looking for the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was on him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
He came in the Spirit into the temple.

When the parents brought in the child, Jesus,
to do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
he took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
“Now you may release your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things
which were spoken concerning him,
and Simeon blessed them,
and said to Mary, his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
and for a sign which will be contradicted.
(Indeed, a sword will pierce through your own soul)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

Official Translation

Reading 1 - 1 John 1.1-4

Beloved:
That which was from the beginning,
which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes,
which we looked at
and our hands touched,
that which concerns the Word of life
that life was revealed,
and we have seen and testify,
and declare to you the life,
the eternal life,
which was with the Father and was revealed to us.
What we have seen and heard
we declare to you,
that you also may have fellowship with us.
Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father,
and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
We write these things to you,
that our joy may be complete.

Responsorial – Psalm 97.1-2, 5-6, 11-12 Resp. 12

R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!

The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice!
Let the multitude of islands be glad!
Clouds and darkness are around him.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness.
All the peoples have seen his glory.

R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!

Light is sown for the righteous,
and gladness for the upright in heart.
Be glad in the Lord, you righteous people!
Give thanks to his holy Name.

R. Be glad in the Lord, you just!

Gospel – John 20.1a, 2-8

On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and came to Simon Peter,
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved,
and said to them,
“They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb,
and we do not know where they have laid him!”
Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out,
and they went to the tomb.
They ran together.
But the other disciple outran Peter,
and came to the tomb first.
Stooping and looking in,
he saw the linen cloths lying there,
yet he did not enter in.
Then Simon Peter came, following him,
and entered into the tomb.
He saw the linen cloths lying there,
and the cloth that had been on his head,
not lying with the linen cloths,
but rolled up in a place by itself.
Then the other disciple
who came first to the tomb also entered in,
and he saw and believed.

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Mass during the Day

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Isaiah 52.7-10

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of they who bring good news,
who announce peace, who bring good news,
who announce a Savior, who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

The voice of your watchmen!
They lift up the voice; together they sing,
for they shall see eye to eye,
when the Lord returns to Zion.
Break out in joy, sing together,
you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has made bare his holy arm
in the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.

Responsorial – Psalm 98.1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 R. 3c

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand has worked salvation for him,
his holy arm.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

The Lord has made known his salvation.
He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Sing praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the melodious voice.
With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Reading 2 – Hebrews 1.1-6

Brothers and sisters:
God, having in the past spoken to the fathers
through the prophets
at partially and in various ways,
has in these final days
spoken to us by his Son,
whom he appointed heir of all things,
through whom also he made the universe.
His Son is the radiance of his glory,
the very image of his substance,
and upholding all things by his mighty word,
when he had himself purified us of our sins,
he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;
having become so far above the angels,
as he has inherited a more excellent name than theirs.
For to which of the angels did he ever say,
“You are my Son. Today have I begotten you”?
Or even,
“I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son”?
Or even, when he brings the firstborn into the world,
“Let all the angels of God worship him”?

Gospel – John 1.1-18 or 1.1-5, 9-14

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him.
Without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of humans.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

There came a man, sent from God,
whose name was John.
He came as a witness, that he might testify about the light,
that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but was sent that he might testify about the light.
The true light that enlightens everyone
was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world was made through him,
but the world did not recognize him.
He came to his own,
and those who were his own did not receive him.

But as many as received him,
to them he gave the right
to become God’s children,
to those who believe in his name:
who were born not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man,
but of God.

The Word became flesh, and lived among us.
We saw his glory,
such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John testified about him.
He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said,
‘He who comes after me has surpasses me,
for he was before me.’”
From his fullness we all received grace instead of grace.
For the law was given through Moses,
but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The one and only Son, God, who is in the bosom of the Father,
has revealed him.

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Mass at Dawn

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Isaiah 62.11-12

Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
to the ends of the earth:
“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Lo, your Savior comes.
Behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.’”
They shall call them “The Holy People”,
“The Redeemed of the Lord”,
and you shall be called “Sought Out”,
“A City Not Forsaken.”

Responsorial – Psalm 97.1, 6, 11-12 Resp. See Job 22.28, Luke 2.11

R. A light will shine on us, this day the Lord is born to us.

The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice!
Let the many islands be glad!
The heavens declare his righteousness.
All the peoples have seen his glory.

R. A light will shine on us, this day the Lord is born to us.

Light dawns for the righteous,
and gladness for the upright in heart.
Be glad in the Lord, you righteous people!
Give thanks to his holy Name.

R. A light will shine on us, this day the Lord is born to us.

Reading 2 – Titus 3.4-7

Beloved:
When the kindness of God our Savior
and his love for humans appeared,
not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves,
but according to his mercy,
he saved us through the washing of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he poured out on us richly,
through Jesus Christ our Savior;
that, being justified by his grace,
we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Gospel – Luke 2.15-20
When the angels went away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go to Bethlehem now,
and see this thing that has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us.”
They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph,
and the baby was lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they publicized widely the message
which was spoken to them about this child.
All who heard it wondered
at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these sayings,
pondering them in her heart.
The shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all the things that they had heard and seen,
just as it was told to them.

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Mass at Midnight

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Isaiah 9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
On those who lived in the land of the shadow of death,
the light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation.
You have increased their joy.
They rejoice before you as with the harvest joy,
as humans rejoice when they divide plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the staff on their shoulder,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as in the day of Midian.
For all the armor of the armed man
clanging in battle,
and the garments rolled in blood,
will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born. To us a son is given;
and the dominion will be on his shoulders.
His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his dominion and of peace
there shall be no end,
on the throne of David and for his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from that time on, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this!

Responsorial – Psalm 96.1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13 Resp. Luke 2.11

R. Today there is born for us a Savior, Christ the Lord.

Sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord! Bless his name!

R. Today there is born for us a Savior, Christ the Lord.

Proclaim his salvation from day to day!
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.

R. Today there is born for us a Savior, Christ the Lord.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.
Let the sea roar, and its fullness!
Let the field and all that is in it exult!
Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy

R. Today there is born for us a Savior, Christ the Lord.

They will rejoice before the Lord; for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth.
He will rule the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.

R. Today there is born for us a Savior, Christ the Lord.

Reading 2 – Titus 2.11-14

Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared,
bringing salvation to all humans,
instructing us for the purpose that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we shall live soberly, righteously, and godly in this age;
looking for the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of
our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify for himself a people for his own possession,
zealous to do good.

Gospel – Luke 2.1-14

Now it happened in those days
that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment
made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his hometown.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David;
to enroll himself with Mary, his betrothed, who was pregnant.
It happened, while they were there,
that the day had come when she would give birth.
She gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field,
and keeping watch by night over their flock.
Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified.
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid,
for behold, I bring you good news of great joy
which will be for all the people.
For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David,
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
This is the sign to you: you will find a baby
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly, there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
on earth peace in humans whom he favors.”

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord - At the Vigil Mass

Official Translation

Reading 1 - Isaiah 62.1-5

For Zion’s sake will I not be silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her righteousness go out as brightness,
and her salvation as a lamp that burns.
The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name,
which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
You shall also be a crown of beauty
in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem
in the hand of your God.
You shall no longer be called Forsaken,
nor shall your land anymore be called Desolate,
but you shall be called My Delight,
and your land Married;
for the Lord delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a virgin,
so your sons shall marry you;
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so your God will rejoice over you.

Responsorial – Psalm 89.4-5, 16-17, 27, 29

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David, my servant,
‘I will establish your seed forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.’”

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you.
They walk in the light of your face, O Lord.
In your name they rejoice all day long.
In your righteousness, they are exalted.

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

He will call to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation!’
I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.
My covenant will stand firm with him.

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

Reading 2 – Acts 13.16-17, 22-25

When Paul came to Antioch of Pisidia,
he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day,
and he stood up, beckoning with his hand, and said,
“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our fathers,
and exalted the people when they stayed
as foreigners in the land of Egypt,
and with an uplifted arm,
he led them out of it.

When he had removed Saul,
he raised up David to be their king,
to whom he also testified,
‘I have found David the son of Jesse,
a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
From this man’s seed, according to his promise,
God has brought a Savior, Jesus, to Israel.
Before his coming, John had first preached
the baptism of repentance to Israel.
As John was fulfilling his course, he said,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
But behold, one comes after me
the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

Gospel – Matthew 1.1-25 or 18-25

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac.
Isaac became the father of Jacob.
Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron.
Hezron became the father of Ram.
Ram became the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon became the father of Salmon.
Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse.
Jesse became the father of King David.
David became the father of Solomon
by her who had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam became the father of Abijah.
Abijah became the father of Asa.
Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram.
Joram became the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham.
Jotham became the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh.
Manasseh became the father of Amon.
Amon became the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers,
at the time of the exile to Babylon.
After the exile to Babylon,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel.
Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim.
Eliakim became the father of Azor.
Azor became the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim.
Achim became the father of Eliud.
Eliud became the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan.
Matthan became the father of Jacob.
Jacob became the father of Joseph,
the husband of Mary,
from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations;
from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations;
and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened in this way:
After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph,
but before they came together,
she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man,
and unwilling to shame her,
resolved to divorce her secretly.
But while he thought about these things,
behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, saying,
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid
to take in Mary, your wife,
for that which is conceived in her
is of the Holy Spirit.
She shall give birth to a son.
You shall call his name Jesus,
for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
Now all this has happened,
that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,
might be fulfilled:
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child,
and shall give birth to a son.
They shall call his name Emmanuel”;
which means “God with us.”
Joseph arose from his sleep,
and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him,
and took his wife in but did not know her,
until she had given birth to her firstborn son.
He named him Jesus.

December 24

Official Translation

Reading 1 – 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

It happened, when King David lived in his house,
and the Lord had given him rest
from all his enemies all around,
that the king said to Nathan the prophet,
“See now, I dwell in a house of cedar,
but the ark of God dwells in a tent.”
Nathan said to the king,
“Go, do all that is in your heart; for the Lord is with you.”

It happened that same night,
that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,
“Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord:
“Shall you build me a house to dwell in?
I took you from the sheep pen,
from following the sheep,
that you should be prince over my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and have cut off all your enemies from before you.
I will make you a great name,
like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
I will appoint a place for my people Israel,
and will plant them that they may dwell in their own place,
and be moved no more;
nor shall the children of wickedness
afflict them anymore, as at first,
and from the days that I commanded judges
to be over my people Israel.
I will cause you to rest from all your enemies.
Moreover the Lord tells you
that the Lord will make you a house.
When your days are fulfilled,
and you sleep with your fathers,
I will set up your seed after you,
who shall proceed out of your loins,
and I will establish his kingdom.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son.
Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me.
Your throne shall be established forever.”

Responsorial – Psalm 89.2-3, 4-5, 27+29 Resp. 2

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.
With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
I indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever.”
You established the heavens and your faithfulness is in them.”

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David, my servant,
‘I will establish your seed forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.’”

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

He will call to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation!’
I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.
My covenant will stand firm with him.

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

Gospel – Luke 1.67-79

His father, Zachariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit,
and prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited
and worked redemption for his people;
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David.
As he promised from of old
by the mouth of his holy prophets:
to save us from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show mercy to our fathers;
and to remember his holy covenant.
The oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father:
to grant to us that we,
being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,
should serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him
all the days of our life.
And you, child,
will be called a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the face of the Lord
to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
by the remission of their sins,
because by the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will visit us,
to shine on those who sit in darkness
and the shadow of death;
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

December 23

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Malachi 3.1-4, 23-24

Thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I send my messenger,
and he will prepare the way before me;
and the Lord, whom you seek,
will suddenly come to his temple;
and the messenger of the covenant,
whom you desire,
behold, he comes!” says the Lord of Hosts.
“But who can endure the day of his coming?
And who will stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire,
and like the fuller’s lye;
and he will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
and refine them like gold and silver;
and they shall offer to the Lord,
sacrifices of righteousness.
Then the sacrifices of Judah and Jerusalem
will be pleasant to the Lord,
as in the days of old, and as in ancient years.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

Responsorial – Psalm 25.4-5ab, 8-9, 10+14, Resp. (see Luke 21.28)

R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.

Show me your ways, O Lord.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,

R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.

Good and upright is the Lord,
therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
He will guide the humble in justice.
He will teach the humble his way.

R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.

All the paths of the Lord are loving kindness and truth
toward such as keep his covenant and his commandments.
The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him.
He will teach them his covenant.

R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.

Gospel – Luke 1.57-66

Now the time
when Elizabeth would give birth had arrived,
and she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard
that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her,
and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day,
they came to circumcise the child;
and they would have called him Zachariah,
after the name of the father.
His mother answered,
“Not so; he will be called John.”
They said to her,
“There is no one among your relatives
who is called by this name.”
They made signs to his father,
what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,
“His name is John.”
They all were amazed.
His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed,
and he spoke, blessing God.
Fear came on all who lived around them,
and all these sayings were talked about
throughout all the hill country of Judea.
All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying,
“What then will this child be?”
The hand of the Lord was with him.

December 22

Official Translation

Reading 1 – 1 Samuel 1.24-28

When Hannah had weaned Samuel,
she took him up with her,
with a three-year-old bull,
and one ephah of flour,
and a skin of wine,
and brought him to the Lord’s house in Shiloh.
The child was young.
They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.
She said, “Oh, my lord,
as your soul lives, my lord,
I am the woman who stood by you here,
praying to the Lord.
For this child I prayed;
and the Lord has given me my petition
which I asked of him.
Therefore I have dedicated him to the Lord.
As long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.”
He worshiped the Lord there.

Responsorial – 1 Samuel 2.1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd Resp. 1a, Luke 1.47b

R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“My heart exults in the Lord!
My horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth is enlarged over my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.

R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“The bows of the mighty are broken.
Those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread.
Those who were hungry are satisfied.
Yes, the barren one has borne seven.
She who has many children languishes.

R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“The Lord kills and gives life.
He brings down to Sheol,
and brings up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich.
He brings low;
he also lifts up.

R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

He raises up the poor out of the dust.
He lifts up the needy from the dunghill,
To have them sit with princes,
and inherit the throne of glory.

R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

Gospel – Luke 1.46-56

Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked at the
humble state of his handmaid.
For behold, from now on,
all generations will call me blessed.
For the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
His mercy is for generations of generations
for those who fear him.
He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered the proud
in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down princes from their thrones.
And has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things.
He has sent the rich away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his offspring forever.”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months,
and then returned to her home.

December 21

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Song of Songs 2.8-14

The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he comes,
leaping on the mountains,
skipping on the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young deer.
Behold, he stands behind our wall!
He looks in at the windows.
He glances through the lattice.
My beloved spoke, and said to me,
“Rise up, my love, my beautiful one,
and come away.
For, behold, the winter is past.
The rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth.
The time of the singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land.
The fig tree ripens her green figs.
The vines are in blossom.
They give out their fragrance.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
and come.”

My dove in the clefts of the rock,
In the hiding places of the mountainside,
Let me see your face.
Let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.

Or Zephaniah 3.14-18a

Sing, daughter of Zion!
Shout, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem.
The Lord has taken away your punishment.
He has thrown out your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst.
You will not be afraid of evil anymore.
In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem,
“Do not be afraid, Zion. Do not let your hands be weak.”
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save.
He will rejoice over you with joy.
He will calm you in his love.
He will rejoice over you with singing,
as at the appointed feasts.

Responsorial – Psalm 33.2-3, 11-12, 20-21 Resp. 1a; 3a

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous! Sing to him a new song.

Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre.
Sing praises to him with the ten-stringed harp.
Sing to him a new song.
Play skillfully, with a shout of joy!

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous! Sing to him a new song.

The plan of the Lord stands fast forever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous! Sing to him a new song.

Our soul has waited for the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in him,
because we have trusted in his holy name.

R. Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous! Sing to him a new song.

Gospel – Luke 1.39-45

Mary arose in those days
and went into the hill country with haste,
into a town of Judah,
and entered into the house of Zachariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the baby leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
She called out with a loud voice, and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Why am I so favored,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For behold, when the voice of your greeting
came to my ears,
the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
Blessed is she who believed,
that there will be a fulfillment of the things
which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”

December 20

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Isaiah 7.10-14

The Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying,
“Ask a sign of the Lord your God;
whether from the deep or the height above.”
But Ahaz said,
“I will not ask; I will not tempt the Lord.”
Isaiah said,
“Listen now, house of David.
Is it not enough for you to try the patience of humans,
that you will try the patience of my God also?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.

Responsorial - Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 Resp. (see 7c and 10b)

R. The Lord will enter; he is the king of glory.

The earth is the Lord’s, with its fullness;
the world, and those who dwell therein.
For he has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the waters.

R. The Lord will enter; he is the king of glory.

Who can ascend the Lord’s mountain?
Who can stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart;
who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood,

He shall receive a blessing from the Lord,
righteousness from the God of his salvation.
This is the nature of those who seek Him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

R. The Lord will enter; he is the king of glory.

Gospel – Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
to a virgin pledged to be married
to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David.
The virgin’s name was Mary.
Having come, the angel said to her,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at the saying,
and considered what kind of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb,
and give birth to a son,
and will name him ‘Jesus.’
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be,
since I do not have relations with a man?”
The angel answered her,
“The Holy Spirit will come on you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore also the one who is born from you
will be called holy, the Son of God.
Behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
also has conceived a son in her old age;
and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
For God is not incapable of anything.”
Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
be it to me according to your word.”

December 19

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Judges 13.2-7, 24-25a

There was a certain man of Zorah,
of the family of the Danites,
whose name was Manoah,
and his wife was barren, and did not bear children.
The angel of the Lord appeared to the woman,
and said to her, “See now, you are barren, and do not bear,
but you shall conceive, and bear a son.
Now therefore please beware,
and drink no wine or strong drink,
and do not eat any unclean thing,
for, behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son,
and no razor shall come on his head,
for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb,
and he shall begin to save Israel
out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Then the woman went and told her husband,
saying, “A man of God came to me,
and his face was like
the face of the angel of God, very awesome.
I did not ask him where he was from,
nor did he tell me his name,
but he said to me,
‘Behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son,
and now drink no wine or strong drink,
and do not eat any unclean thing;
for the child shall be a Nazarite to God
from the womb to the day of his death.’”
The woman bore a son, and named him Samson,
and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him.
The Spirit of the Lord began to move him.

Responsorial – Psalm 71.3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 Resp. 8, 23

R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise; my soul sings praises to you.

Be to me a rock of refuge.
Give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,

R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise; my soul sings praises to you.

For you are my hope, O the Lord,
my confidence from my youth.
I have relied on you from the womb.
You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb.

R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise; my soul sings praises to you.

I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord.
I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone.
God, you have taught me from my youth.
Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.

R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise; my soul sings praises to you.

Gospel – Luke 1.5-25

There was in the days
of Herod, the king of Judea,
a certain priest named Zachariah,
of the priestly division of Abijah.
He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
They were both righteous before God,
walking blamelessly in all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren,
and they both were well advanced in years.
Now it happened, while he fulfilled the priestly office
before God according to his division,
according to the custom of the priestly office,
it was his lot
to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
The whole multitude of the people
were praying outside at the hour of incense.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Zachariah was troubled when he saw him,
and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zachariah,
because your request has been heard.
Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.
You will have joy and gladness;
and many will rejoice at his birth.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He will drink no wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit,
even from his mother’s womb.
He will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord, their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,
‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,’
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just;
to prepare a people ready for the Lord.”

Zachariah said to the angel,
“How can I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
The angel answered him,
“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.
I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak,
until the day that these things will happen,
because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

The people were waiting for Zachariah,
and they wondered why he was delayed in the temple.
When he came out, he could not speak to them,
and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple.
He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.

It happened, when the days of his service were fulfilled,
he departed to his house.
After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived,
and she hid herself five months, saying,
“Thus has the Lord done to me
in the days in which he looked at me,
to take away my reproach among humans.”

Fourth Sunday of Advent (B)

Official Translation

Reading 1 - 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

It happened, when King David lived in his house,
and the Lord had given him rest
from all his enemies all around,
that the king said to Nathan the prophet,
“See now, I dwell in a house of cedar,
but the ark of God dwells in a tent.”
Nathan said to the king,
“Go, do all that is in your heart; for the Lord is with you.”

It happened that same night,
that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,
“Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord:
“Shall you build me a house to dwell in?
I took you from the sheep pen,
from following the sheep,
that you should be prince over my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and have cut off all your enemies from before you.
I will make you a great name,
like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
I will appoint a place for my people Israel,
and will plant them that they may dwell in their own place,
and be moved no more;
nor shall the children of wickedness
afflict them anymore, as at first,
and from the days that I commanded judges
to be over my people Israel.
I will cause you to rest from all your enemies.
Moreover the Lord tells you
that the Lord will make you a house.
When your days are fulfilled,
and you sleep with your fathers,
I will set up your seed after you,
who shall proceed out of your loins,
and I will establish his kingdom.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son.
Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me.
Your throne shall be established forever.”

Responsorial - Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.
With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
I indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever.”
You established the heavens and your faithfulness is in them.”

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David, my servant,
‘I will establish your seed forever,
and build up your throne to all generations.’”

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

He will call to me, ‘You are my Father,
my God, and the rock of my salvation!’
I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more.
My covenant will stand firm with him.

R. I will sing of the loving kindness of the Lord forever.

Reading 2 – Romans 16:25-27

Brothers and Sisters:
Now to him who is able to establish you,
according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery
which has been kept secret through long ages,
but now is revealed by the writings of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the eternal God,
is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever! Amen.

Gospel – Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
to a virgin pledged to be married
to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David.
The virgin’s name was Mary.
Having come, the angel said to her,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at the saying,
and considered what kind of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb,
and give birth to a son,
and will name him ‘Jesus.’
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be,
since I do not have relations with a man?”
The angel answered her,
“The Holy Spirit will come on you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore also the one who is born from you
will be called holy, the Son of God.
Behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
also has conceived a son in her old age;
and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
For God is not incapable of anything.”
Mary said, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord;
be it to me according to your word.”

Updated

Thank you for being patient while I have been gone for the past two weeks. My parish now has a new website http://www.cascwinona.org/. I have also decided to begin with the World English Bible instead of the Douay-Reihms as the basis of the daily readings. This Bible has a similar mission to this website: to release the Scriptures into the public domain. So I will take the readings from this Bible each day, format them according to the Catholic Lectionary, and correct the translation as needed.

Second Sunday of Advent (B)

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Isaiah 40.1-5, 9-11

“Take comfort, take comfort, O my people,”
says your God.
Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and proclaim unto her:
her warfare is accomplished;
her iniquity is pardoned;
she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
A voice cries out:
“Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of the Lord!
Make level in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low;
and the uneven land shall be made level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
O you who give good tidings to Zion:
get up on a high mountain.
O you who give good tidings to Jerusalem:
lift up your voice with strength;
lift it up; be not afraid;
say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your God!”
Behold, the Lord God will come in power,
and with his arm he will rule.
Behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd:
he will gather the lambs in his arm,
and carry them in his bosom,
and will gently lead those with their young.

Responsorial – Psalm 85.9-10-11-12, 13-14 Resp. 8

R. Show us your lovingkindness, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
for he will speak peace unto his people,
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.

R. Show us your lovingkindness, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

Mercy and truth are met together.
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth springs out of the earth,
and righteousness has looked down from heaven.

R. Show us your lovingkindness, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

The Lord will give what is good,
and our land shall yield its increase.
Righteousness shall go before him,
and shall prepare a way for his footsteps to walk.

R. Show us your lovingkindness, Lord, and grant us your salvation.

Reading 2 – 2 Peter 3.8-14

Do not forget this one thing, beloved,
that one day for the Lord is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years is like one day.
The Lord is not remiss concerning his promise,
as some regard it remiss,
but is longsuffering to you,
not wishing that any would perish,
but that all would give way to reconsideration.

It will come, the day of the Lord, like a thief.
On that day the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,
and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat,
and the earth and the work done on it shall be burned up.

Since all these things are going to be dissolved in this way,
what sort of people should you be in living holiness and godliness,
waiting for and hastening the revelation of God’s day,
through which the heavens will be on fire and dissolved,
and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

But, according to his promise,
we await a new heavens and a new earth,
in which justice will dwell.
Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these things,
be careful that you may be found by him at peace,
spotless and blameless.

Gospel – Mark 1.1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
he who shall prepare your way.
A voice crying in the wilderness,
“Prepare the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!”

John came to be baptizing in the wilderness
and preaching a baptism of reconsideration
for the forgiveness of sins.
And there went out to him all the country of Judaea
and all the Jerusalemites.
They were baptized by him in the Jordan river,
confessing their sins.

John was clothed with camelhair,
and had a leather belt around his waist,
and he ate locusts and wild honey.
And he preached, saying,
“There will come after me he that is mightier than I,
I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals.
I baptized you in water; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

Friday of the First Week of Advent

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Isaiah 29.17-24

Is it not yet a very little while
until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
In that day the deaf will hear
the words of the book,
and the eyes of the blind
shall see out of obscurity and darkness.
The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD,
and the poor among humans
shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the terrible person will be brought to nothing,
and the scorner will be consumed,
All who watch to do evil will be cut off,
who make a man an offender with a word,
and lay a snare for the reprover in the gate,
and trouble the just with a worthless accusation.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
who redeemed Abraham,
concerning the house of Jacob:
Jacob shall not now be ashamed,
nor shall his face now become pale.
For when he sees his children,
the work of my hands, among him,
they shall sanctify my name,
and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob,
and fear the God of Israel.
They also who erred in spirit
shall come to understanding,
and those who murmured shall learn doctrine.

Responsorial – Psalm 27.1, 4, 13-14 Resp. 1a

R. The LORD is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

R. The LORD is my light and my salvation.

One thing have I desired of the LORD,
this will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to study in his temple.

R. The LORD is my light and my salvation.

I believe that I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD; be of good courage.
He will strengthen your heart. Wait for the LORD.

R. The LORD is my light and my salvation.

Gospel – Matthew 9.27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him,
crying out and saying,
“Have mercy on us, son of David.”
When he had entered the house,
the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”
Then he touched their eyes, saying,
“According to your faith be it done unto you.”
Their eyes were opened.
And Jesus strictly charged them, saying,
“See that no one knows it.”
But they went out and made this known
in all that land.