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.