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.
Mass Readings
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
Fourth Sunday of Advent (C)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Micah 5.1-4a
The LORD says:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah,
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
from you one will come for me
who is to be ruler in Israel;
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.
Therefore the Lord will abandon them
until the time when she who is in labor gives birth.
Then the rest of his brothers will return to the children of Israel.
He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God:
and they will remain, for then he will be great
even to the ends of the earth.
He shall be peace.
Responsorial – Psalm 80.2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Resp. 4
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
You who dwell among the cherubim, shine forth.
Stir up your strength,
and come to save us.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Return, we beseech you, O God of Hosts.
Look down from heaven and see,
Visit this vine and the vineyard
which your right hand has planted,
the son whom you made strong for yourself.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Let your hand be upon the human of your right hand,
upon the son of human whom you made strong for yourself.
So we will not withdraw from you;
Enliven us and we will call upon your name.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Reading 2 – Hebrews 10.5-10
Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but you prepared a body for me;
You had no pleasure in holocausts and sin offerings.
Then I said, as it is written in the scroll of the book,
“Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.”
He said before, “Sacrifices and offerings
holocausts and sin offerings
you neither desired nor had pleasure in.”
These are offered according to the law.
Then he said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.”
He takes away the first,
that he may establish the second,
by this will we have been sanctified
through the offering of
the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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!”
Reading 1 – Micah 5.1-4a
The LORD says:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah,
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
from you one will come for me
who is to be ruler in Israel;
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.
Therefore the Lord will abandon them
until the time when she who is in labor gives birth.
Then the rest of his brothers will return to the children of Israel.
He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God:
and they will remain, for then he will be great
even to the ends of the earth.
He shall be peace.
Responsorial – Psalm 80.2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Resp. 4
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
You who dwell among the cherubim, shine forth.
Stir up your strength,
and come to save us.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Return, we beseech you, O God of Hosts.
Look down from heaven and see,
Visit this vine and the vineyard
which your right hand has planted,
the son whom you made strong for yourself.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Let your hand be upon the human of your right hand,
upon the son of human whom you made strong for yourself.
So we will not withdraw from you;
Enliven us and we will call upon your name.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Reading 2 – Hebrews 10.5-10
Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but you prepared a body for me;
You had no pleasure in holocausts and sin offerings.
Then I said, as it is written in the scroll of the book,
“Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.”
He said before, “Sacrifices and offerings
holocausts and sin offerings
you neither desired nor had pleasure in.”
These are offered according to the law.
Then he said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.”
He takes away the first,
that he may establish the second,
by this will we have been sanctified
through the offering of
the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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 22
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!”
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.”
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.”
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.”
December 18
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Jeremiah 23.5-8
Behold, the days come, says the Lord,
when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
and he shall reign as king and deal wisely,
and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely,
and this is his name by which he shall be called: “The Lord our Righteousness.”
“Therefore behold, the days come”, says the Lord, “When they shall no longer say ,
‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
but, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country’,
and from all the countries where I had driven them.
They shall dwell in their own land.
Responsorial – Psalm 72.1-2, 12-13, 18-19 Resp. 7
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Give the king your judgment, O God,
and your righteousness to the king's son.
He shall judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with judgment.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
He shall deliver the needy when they cry;
the poor, who have no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy,
and shall save the souls of the needy.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
Blessed be his glorious name forever!
Let the whole earth be filled with his glory!
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Gospel – Matthew 1.18-25
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.
Reading 1 – Jeremiah 23.5-8
Behold, the days come, says the Lord,
when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
and he shall reign as king and deal wisely,
and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely,
and this is his name by which he shall be called: “The Lord our Righteousness.”
“Therefore behold, the days come”, says the Lord, “When they shall no longer say ,
‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
but, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country’,
and from all the countries where I had driven them.
They shall dwell in their own land.
Responsorial – Psalm 72.1-2, 12-13, 18-19 Resp. 7
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Give the king your judgment, O God,
and your righteousness to the king's son.
He shall judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with judgment.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
He shall deliver the needy when they cry;
the poor, who have no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy,
and shall save the souls of the needy.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
Blessed be his glorious name forever!
Let the whole earth be filled with his glory!
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Gospel – Matthew 1.18-25
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 17
Official Translation
Reading 1 - Genesis 49.2, 8-10
Jacob called his sons and said to them:
“Assemble yourselves, and hear, you sons of Jacob.
Listen to Israel, your father.
Judah, your brothers will praise you.
Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies.
Your father’s sons will bow down before you.
Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until it comes to whom it belongs.
To him will the obedience of the peoples be.”
Responsorial – Psalm 72.1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17 Resp. 7
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Give the king your judgment, O God,
and your righteousness to the king's son.
He shall judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with judgment.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people.
The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.
He will defend the poor of the people.
He will save the children of the needy.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
In his day, justice shall flourish,
and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
He shall have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the river to the ends of the earth.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
His name will endure forever.
His name will continue as long as the sun.
The people will be blessed in him.
All nations will call him blessed.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Gospel – Matthew 1.1-17
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.
Reading 1 - Genesis 49.2, 8-10
Jacob called his sons and said to them:
“Assemble yourselves, and hear, you sons of Jacob.
Listen to Israel, your father.
Judah, your brothers will praise you.
Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies.
Your father’s sons will bow down before you.
Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until it comes to whom it belongs.
To him will the obedience of the peoples be.”
Responsorial – Psalm 72.1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17 Resp. 7
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Give the king your judgment, O God,
and your righteousness to the king's son.
He shall judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with judgment.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people.
The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.
He will defend the poor of the people.
He will save the children of the needy.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
In his day, justice shall flourish,
and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
He shall have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the river to the ends of the earth.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
His name will endure forever.
His name will continue as long as the sun.
The people will be blessed in him.
All nations will call him blessed.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Gospel – Matthew 1.1-17
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.
Third Sunday of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Zepheniah 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 – Isaiah 12.2-3, 4, 5-6 Resp. 6
R. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Behold, God is my salvation.
I will trust and will not be afraid;
for the Lord, the Lord, is my strength and song;
and he has become my salvation.
Therefore with joy you will draw water
out of the wells of salvation.
R. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the Lord! Call on his name.
Declare his deeds among the nations.
Proclaim that his name is exalted!
R. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done excellent things!
Let this be known in all the earth!
Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion;
For great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel.
R. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Reading 2 – Philippians 4.4-7
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: “Rejoice!”
Let your gentleness be known to all humans. The Lord is at hand.
In nothing be anxious,
but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Gospel – Luke 3.10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What then must we do?”
He answered them, “The one who has two coats, let them give to the one who has none.
The one who has food, let them do likewise.”
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”
He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”
Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?”
He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by violence, nor accuse anyone wrongfully.
Be content with your wages.”
As the people were in expectation, and all in their hearts wondered about John,
whether perhaps he was the Christ.
John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water,
but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen.
He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
His fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor,
and will gather the wheat into his barn,
but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
Reading 1 – Zepheniah 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 – Isaiah 12.2-3, 4, 5-6 Resp. 6
R. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Behold, God is my salvation.
I will trust and will not be afraid;
for the Lord, the Lord, is my strength and song;
and he has become my salvation.
Therefore with joy you will draw water
out of the wells of salvation.
R. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the Lord! Call on his name.
Declare his deeds among the nations.
Proclaim that his name is exalted!
R. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done excellent things!
Let this be known in all the earth!
Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion;
For great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel.
R. Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Reading 2 – Philippians 4.4-7
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: “Rejoice!”
Let your gentleness be known to all humans. The Lord is at hand.
In nothing be anxious,
but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Gospel – Luke 3.10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What then must we do?”
He answered them, “The one who has two coats, let them give to the one who has none.
The one who has food, let them do likewise.”
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”
He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”
Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?”
He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by violence, nor accuse anyone wrongfully.
Be content with your wages.”
As the people were in expectation, and all in their hearts wondered about John,
whether perhaps he was the Christ.
John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water,
but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen.
He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
His fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor,
and will gather the wheat into his barn,
but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Sirach 48.1-4, 9-11
Elijah the prophet arose like a fire,
And his word burned like a torch:
He brought a famine upon them,
and by his zeal made them few in number.
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven:
Thrice did he thus bring down fire.
How you are glorified, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
And who shall have glory like yours?
You were taken up in a tempest of fire,
In a chariot of fiery horses:
It is written that you are destined in time to come
to pacify anger before the day of the Lord,
to turn the heart of the father to the son,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed are they that saw you,
and they that have been beautified with love.
Responsorial – Psalm 80.2ac+3b, 15-16, 18-19 Resp. 4
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
You who dwell among the cherubim, shine forth.
Stir up your strength.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Return, we beseech you, O God of Hosts.
Look down from heaven and see,
Visit this vine and the vineyard
which your right hand has planted,
the son whom you made strong for yourself.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Let your hand be upon the human of your right hand,
upon the son of human whom you made strong for yourself.
So we will not withdraw from you;
Enliven us and we will call upon your name.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Gospel – Matthew 17.9a, 10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain, his disciples asked Jesus, saying,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things,
but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they did not recognize him,
but did to him whatever they wanted to.
Even so the Son of Human will also suffer by them.”
Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptist.
Reading 1 – Sirach 48.1-4, 9-11
Elijah the prophet arose like a fire,
And his word burned like a torch:
He brought a famine upon them,
and by his zeal made them few in number.
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven:
Thrice did he thus bring down fire.
How you are glorified, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
And who shall have glory like yours?
You were taken up in a tempest of fire,
In a chariot of fiery horses:
It is written that you are destined in time to come
to pacify anger before the day of the Lord,
to turn the heart of the father to the son,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed are they that saw you,
and they that have been beautified with love.
Responsorial – Psalm 80.2ac+3b, 15-16, 18-19 Resp. 4
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
You who dwell among the cherubim, shine forth.
Stir up your strength.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Return, we beseech you, O God of Hosts.
Look down from heaven and see,
Visit this vine and the vineyard
which your right hand has planted,
the son whom you made strong for yourself.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Let your hand be upon the human of your right hand,
upon the son of human whom you made strong for yourself.
So we will not withdraw from you;
Enliven us and we will call upon your name.
R. Turn us back, O God, and cause your face to shine on us, and we shall be saved.
Gospel – Matthew 17.9a, 10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain, his disciples asked Jesus, saying,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things,
but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they did not recognize him,
but did to him whatever they wanted to.
Even so the Son of Human will also suffer by them.”
Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptist.
Friday of the Second Week of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 48.17-19
The Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says:
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what benefits you,
who leads you by the way that you should go.
Oh that you had listened to my commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Your offspring also would have been as the sand and the descendants of your body like its grains.
His name would not be cut off nor destroyed from before me.”
Responsorial – Psalm 1.1-2, 3, 4+6 Resp. John 8.12
R. The one who follows the Lord will have the light of life.
Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stand on the sinners’ path,
nor sit in the scoffers’ seat,
but whose delight is in the Lord’s law.
On his law he meditates day and night.
R. The one who follows the Lord will have the light of life.
He will be like a tree
planted by the streams of water,
that produces its fruit in its season,
whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does shall prosper.
R. The one who follows the Lord will have the light of life.
The wicked are not so,
but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
For the Lord watches the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked shall perish.
R. The one who follows the Lord will have the light of life.
Gospel – Matthew 11.16-19
Jesus said to the crowds:
To what shall I compare this kind?
It is like little children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their playmates and say,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance.
We mourned for you, and you did not lament.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
The Son of Human came eating and drinking, and they say,
‘Behold the human, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
But wisdom is justified by her works.”
Reading 1 – Isaiah 48.17-19
The Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says:
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what benefits you,
who leads you by the way that you should go.
Oh that you had listened to my commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Your offspring also would have been as the sand and the descendants of your body like its grains.
His name would not be cut off nor destroyed from before me.”
Responsorial – Psalm 1.1-2, 3, 4+6 Resp. John 8.12
R. The one who follows the Lord will have the light of life.
Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stand on the sinners’ path,
nor sit in the scoffers’ seat,
but whose delight is in the Lord’s law.
On his law he meditates day and night.
R. The one who follows the Lord will have the light of life.
He will be like a tree
planted by the streams of water,
that produces its fruit in its season,
whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does shall prosper.
R. The one who follows the Lord will have the light of life.
The wicked are not so,
but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
For the Lord watches the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked shall perish.
R. The one who follows the Lord will have the light of life.
Gospel – Matthew 11.16-19
Jesus said to the crowds:
To what shall I compare this kind?
It is like little children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their playmates and say,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance.
We mourned for you, and you did not lament.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
The Son of Human came eating and drinking, and they say,
‘Behold the human, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
But wisdom is justified by her works.”
Thursday of the Second Week of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 41.13-20
I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Be not afraid. I will help you.”
“Be not afraid, O worm Jacob, O maggot Israel. I will help you,” says the Lord,
“Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”
Behold, I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth.
You will thresh the mountains, and crush them small, and will make the hills like chaff.
You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, and the whirlwind will scatter them.
You will rejoice in the Lord. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst.
I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the middle of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
I will put cedar, acacia, myrtle, and oil trees in the wilderness.
I will set cypress trees, pine, and box trees together in the desert,
that they may see, know, consider, and understand that the Lord’s hand has done this,
and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Responsorial – Psalm 145.1+9, 10-11, 12-13ab Resp. 8
R. The Lord is gracious, merciful; slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
I will exalt you, my God, the King.
I will praise your name forever and ever.
The Lord is good to all.
His tender mercies are upon all his works.
R. The Lord is gracious, merciful; slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
Let all your works, O Lord, praise you,
and let your holy ones bless you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom:
and tell of your power.
R. The Lord is gracious, merciful; slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts,
the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
R. The Lord is gracious, merciful; slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
Gospel – Matthew 11.11-15
Jesus said to the crowds:
“Amen I say to you, among those who are born of women
there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist,
yet the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.
Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Reading 1 – Isaiah 41.13-20
I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Be not afraid. I will help you.”
“Be not afraid, O worm Jacob, O maggot Israel. I will help you,” says the Lord,
“Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”
Behold, I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth.
You will thresh the mountains, and crush them small, and will make the hills like chaff.
You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, and the whirlwind will scatter them.
You will rejoice in the Lord. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. Their tongue fails for thirst.
I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the middle of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
I will put cedar, acacia, myrtle, and oil trees in the wilderness.
I will set cypress trees, pine, and box trees together in the desert,
that they may see, know, consider, and understand that the Lord’s hand has done this,
and the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Responsorial – Psalm 145.1+9, 10-11, 12-13ab Resp. 8
R. The Lord is gracious, merciful; slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
I will exalt you, my God, the King.
I will praise your name forever and ever.
The Lord is good to all.
His tender mercies are upon all his works.
R. The Lord is gracious, merciful; slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
Let all your works, O Lord, praise you,
and let your holy ones bless you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom:
and tell of your power.
R. The Lord is gracious, merciful; slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts,
the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
R. The Lord is gracious, merciful; slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
Gospel – Matthew 11.11-15
Jesus said to the crowds:
“Amen I say to you, among those who are born of women
there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist,
yet the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.
Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Zechariah 2.14-17
“Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion, for behold, I come to dwell within you,” says the Lord.
Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and shall be my people,
and I will dwell among you, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.
The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy habitation!
Or Revelation 11.19a; 12.1-6a, 10ab
God’s temple in heaven was opened,
and the Ark of the Lord’s covenant
was seen in his temple.
A great sign was seen in heaven:
a woman clothed with the sun,
and the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child.
She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth.
Another sign was seen in heaven.
Behold, an enormous red dragon,
having seven heads and ten horns,
and on his heads seven crowns.
His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky,
and threw them to the earth.
The dragon stood before
the woman who was about to give birth,
so that when she gave birth
he might devour her child.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron.
Her child was caught up to God and to his throne.
The woman fled into the wilderness,
where she has a place prepared by God.
I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,
“Now the salvation, the power,
and the Kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ has come.
Responsorial – Judith 13.18bcde, 19 Resp. 15:9d
R. You are the honor of our people.
Blessed are you, O daughter, by the Most High God,
above all women upon the earth.
Blessed be the Lord God
who made heaven and earth
R. You are the honor of our people.
Forever, your praise shall not depart out of the mouth of men
who are mindful of the power of the Lord
R. You are the honor of our people.
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.”
Then the angel departed from her.
Or Luke 1.39-47
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!”
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Reading 1 – Zechariah 2.14-17
“Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion, for behold, I come to dwell within you,” says the Lord.
Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and shall be my people,
and I will dwell among you, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.
The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy habitation!
Or Revelation 11.19a; 12.1-6a, 10ab
God’s temple in heaven was opened,
and the Ark of the Lord’s covenant
was seen in his temple.
A great sign was seen in heaven:
a woman clothed with the sun,
and the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child.
She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth.
Another sign was seen in heaven.
Behold, an enormous red dragon,
having seven heads and ten horns,
and on his heads seven crowns.
His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky,
and threw them to the earth.
The dragon stood before
the woman who was about to give birth,
so that when she gave birth
he might devour her child.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron.
Her child was caught up to God and to his throne.
The woman fled into the wilderness,
where she has a place prepared by God.
I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,
“Now the salvation, the power,
and the Kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ has come.
Responsorial – Judith 13.18bcde, 19 Resp. 15:9d
R. You are the honor of our people.
Blessed are you, O daughter, by the Most High God,
above all women upon the earth.
Blessed be the Lord God
who made heaven and earth
R. You are the honor of our people.
Forever, your praise shall not depart out of the mouth of men
who are mindful of the power of the Lord
R. You are the honor of our people.
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.”
Then the angel departed from her.
Or Luke 1.39-47
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!”
Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 - Isaiah 40.1-11
“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.
A voice says, “Cry!”
I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows on it.
Surely the people are like grass.
The grass withers; the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”
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 the ewes with their young.
Responsorial – Psalm 96.1-2, 3+10ac, 11-12, 13 Resp. Isaiah 40:10ab
R. The Lord God comes with power.
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. The Lord God comes with power.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
He will judge the people with equity.
R. The Lord God comes with power.
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. The Lord God comes with power.
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. The Lord God comes with power.
Gospel – Matthew 18.12-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
“What do you think?
If a human has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray,
do they not leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?
If they find it, amen I tell you,
they rejoice more over it than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
Reading 1 - Isaiah 40.1-11
“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.
A voice says, “Cry!”
I said, “What shall I cry?”
“All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows on it.
Surely the people are like grass.
The grass withers; the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”
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 the ewes with their young.
Responsorial – Psalm 96.1-2, 3+10ac, 11-12, 13 Resp. Isaiah 40:10ab
R. The Lord God comes with power.
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. The Lord God comes with power.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
He will judge the people with equity.
R. The Lord God comes with power.
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. The Lord God comes with power.
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. The Lord God comes with power.
Gospel – Matthew 18.12-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
“What do you think?
If a human has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray,
do they not leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?
If they find it, amen I tell you,
they rejoice more over it than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
Monday of the Second Week of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 35.1-10
The desert and the dry land will be glad.
The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.
Lebanon’s glory will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon.
They will see the glory of the Lord, the excellence of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
“Tell those who have a fearful heart, ‘Be strong. Be not afraid.’
Behold, your God will come with vengeance, divine retribution. He will come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unclogged.
Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing;
for waters will break out in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.
In the habitation of jackals, where they lay, there will be grass with reeds and rushes.
A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called The Holy Way.
The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way.
Wicked fools will not go there.
No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it.
They will not be found there, but the redeemed will walk there.
The ransomed of the Lord will return, and come with singing to Zion;
and everlasting joy will be on their heads.
They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
Responsorial – Psalm 85.9ab+10, 11-12, 13-14 Resp. Isaiah 35:4f
R. Our God will come to save us!
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. Our God will come to save us!
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. Our God will come to save us!
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. Our God will come to save us!
Gospel – Luke 5.17-26
On one of those days, Jesus was teaching,
and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by,
who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem.
The power of the Lord was with him to heal.
Behold, men brought upon a cot a paralyzed human,
and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus.
Not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,
they went up to the housetop, and let him down on his cot through the tiles
into the middle before Jesus.
Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Human, your sins are forgiven you.”
The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying,
“Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?
Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you;’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’
But that you may know that the Son of Human has authority on earth to forgive sins”
(he said to the paralytic), “I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house.”
Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on,
and departed to his house, glorifying God.
Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God.
They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen unexpected things today.”
Reading 1 – Isaiah 35.1-10
The desert and the dry land will be glad.
The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.
Lebanon’s glory will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon.
They will see the glory of the Lord, the excellence of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
“Tell those who have a fearful heart, ‘Be strong. Be not afraid.’
Behold, your God will come with vengeance, divine retribution. He will come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unclogged.
Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing;
for waters will break out in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.
In the habitation of jackals, where they lay, there will be grass with reeds and rushes.
A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called The Holy Way.
The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way.
Wicked fools will not go there.
No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it.
They will not be found there, but the redeemed will walk there.
The ransomed of the Lord will return, and come with singing to Zion;
and everlasting joy will be on their heads.
They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
Responsorial – Psalm 85.9ab+10, 11-12, 13-14 Resp. Isaiah 35:4f
R. Our God will come to save us!
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. Our God will come to save us!
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. Our God will come to save us!
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. Our God will come to save us!
Gospel – Luke 5.17-26
On one of those days, Jesus was teaching,
and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by,
who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem.
The power of the Lord was with him to heal.
Behold, men brought upon a cot a paralyzed human,
and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus.
Not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd,
they went up to the housetop, and let him down on his cot through the tiles
into the middle before Jesus.
Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Human, your sins are forgiven you.”
The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying,
“Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?
Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you;’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’
But that you may know that the Son of Human has authority on earth to forgive sins”
(he said to the paralytic), “I tell you, arise, and take up your cot, and go to your house.”
Immediately he rose up before them, and took up that which he was laying on,
and departed to his house, glorifying God.
Amazement took hold on all, and they glorified God.
They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen unexpected things today.”
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Official Translation
Reading 1 - Genesis 3.9-15, 20
The Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”
The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”
God said, “Who told you that you were naked?
Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
The Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
The Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field.
You shall go on your belly and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”
The man called his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living.
Responsorial – Psalm 98.1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Resp. 1
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done wonderful things.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
because he has done wonderful things.
His right hand has saved,
and his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done wonderful things.
The Lord has made known his salvation.
he has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his mercy and his fidelity
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done wonderful things.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;
make melody, rejoice and sing.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done wonderful things.
Reading 2 – Ephesians 1.3-6, 11-12
Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we would be holy and without defect before him.
In love, having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his desire,
to the praise of the glory of his grace,
by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved,
In him we were assigned an inheritance,
having been foreordained according to the purpose of him
who does all things after the counsel of his will;
to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory,
we who had before hoped in Christ.
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.”
Then the angel departed from her.
Reading 1 - Genesis 3.9-15, 20
The Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”
The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”
God said, “Who told you that you were naked?
Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
The Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
The Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field.
You shall go on your belly and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”
The man called his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living.
Responsorial – Psalm 98.1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Resp. 1
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done wonderful things.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
because he has done wonderful things.
His right hand has saved,
and his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done wonderful things.
The Lord has made known his salvation.
he has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his mercy and his fidelity
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done wonderful things.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;
make melody, rejoice and sing.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done wonderful things.
Reading 2 – Ephesians 1.3-6, 11-12
Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we would be holy and without defect before him.
In love, having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself,
according to the good pleasure of his desire,
to the praise of the glory of his grace,
by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved,
In him we were assigned an inheritance,
having been foreordained according to the purpose of him
who does all things after the counsel of his will;
to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory,
we who had before hoped in Christ.
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.”
Then the angel departed from her.
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.
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.
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 26.1-6
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
“We have a strong city; he builds walls and bulwarks for our salvation.
Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the faith may enter in.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stuck on you, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever: for in the LORD GOD there is everlasting strength.
For he brings down those who dwell on high.
The lofty city, he lays it low; he lays it low, even to the ground; he brings it to the dust.
The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
Responsorial – Psalm 118.1+8-9, 19-21, 25-27a Resp. 26a
R. Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD. or R. Alleluia
O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to trust in the LORD
than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
than to put confidence in princes.
R. Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD. or R. Alleluia
Open to me the gates of righteousness.
I will enter and I will praise the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD,
the righteous shall enter.
I will praise you, for you have heard me,
and have become my salvation.
R. Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD. or R. Alleluia
Save now, I beseech you, O LORD.
O LORD, I beseech you, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD.
we have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
God is the LORD, he has shown us light.
R. Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD. or R. Alleluia
Gospel – Matthew 7.21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but the doer of the will of my Father in heaven.
All, therefore who hear these my words and do them,
is like a wise man, who built his house on the rock.
The rain fell; the floods came; and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it did not fall
for it was founded on the rock.
And every hearer of these my words, who does not do them,
is like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand:
The rain fell; the floods came; and the winds blew and beat on that house;
and it fell and great was the fall of it.
Reading 1 – Isaiah 26.1-6
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
“We have a strong city; he builds walls and bulwarks for our salvation.
Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the faith may enter in.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stuck on you, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever: for in the LORD GOD there is everlasting strength.
For he brings down those who dwell on high.
The lofty city, he lays it low; he lays it low, even to the ground; he brings it to the dust.
The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
Responsorial – Psalm 118.1+8-9, 19-21, 25-27a Resp. 26a
R. Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD. or R. Alleluia
O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to trust in the LORD
than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
than to put confidence in princes.
R. Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD. or R. Alleluia
Open to me the gates of righteousness.
I will enter and I will praise the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD,
the righteous shall enter.
I will praise you, for you have heard me,
and have become my salvation.
R. Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD. or R. Alleluia
Save now, I beseech you, O LORD.
O LORD, I beseech you, send now prosperity.
Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD.
we have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
God is the LORD, he has shown us light.
R. Blessed be he who comes in the name of the LORD. or R. Alleluia
Gospel – Matthew 7.21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but the doer of the will of my Father in heaven.
All, therefore who hear these my words and do them,
is like a wise man, who built his house on the rock.
The rain fell; the floods came; and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it did not fall
for it was founded on the rock.
And every hearer of these my words, who does not do them,
is like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand:
The rain fell; the floods came; and the winds blew and beat on that house;
and it fell and great was the fall of it.
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 25.6-10a
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make all people a feast of fat things,
a feast of aged wines, of fat things full of marrow, of aged wine, well-refined.
He will destroy on this mountain the veil that veils all people,
and the web that is woven over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever!
The Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.
He will take away the reproach of his people from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
It shall be said on that day,
“Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us!
This is the Lord! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”
For on this mountain the hand of the Lord will rest.
Responsorial – Psalm 23.1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Resp. 6cd
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He has me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff –
they comfort me.
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
You prepare a table before me,
in the presence of my foes.
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Gospel – Matthew 15.29-37
Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee,
and he went up on the mountain, and sat there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others,
and they put them down at his feet.
He healed them, so that the crowd wondered when they saw
the mute speaking, the injured whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing,
and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the crowd,
because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat.
I do not wish to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
The disciples said to him,
“Where are we to get so many loaves in a desolate place, so as to satisfy so great a crowd?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground,
and he took the seven loaves and the fish.
He gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowd.
They all ate, and were filled, and they took up seven baskets full of the leftover broken pieces.
Reading 1 – Isaiah 25.6-10a
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will make all people a feast of fat things,
a feast of aged wines, of fat things full of marrow, of aged wine, well-refined.
He will destroy on this mountain the veil that veils all people,
and the web that is woven over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever!
The Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.
He will take away the reproach of his people from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
It shall be said on that day,
“Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us!
This is the Lord! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”
For on this mountain the hand of the Lord will rest.
Responsorial – Psalm 23.1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Resp. 6cd
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He has me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff –
they comfort me.
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
You prepare a table before me,
in the presence of my foes.
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
R. I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Gospel – Matthew 15.29-37
Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee,
and he went up on the mountain, and sat there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others,
and they put them down at his feet.
He healed them, so that the crowd wondered when they saw
the mute speaking, the injured whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing,
and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the crowd,
because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat.
I do not wish to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
The disciples said to him,
“Where are we to get so many loaves in a desolate place, so as to satisfy so great a crowd?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
He commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground,
and he took the seven loaves and the fish.
He gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowd.
They all ate, and were filled, and they took up seven baskets full of the leftover broken pieces.
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 11.1-10
There shall come forth a shoot out of the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall sprout from his roots.
And the spirit of the LORD will rest upon him:
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and fortitude,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by eyesight,
nor correct using what his ears hear,
but he will judge the poor with righteousness,
and correct with equity for the meek of the earth,
and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
He will gird his waist with righteousness,
and gird his loins with faithfulness.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid.
The calf and the young lion and the fattened calf together,
and a little child shall lead them.
And the cow and bear shall graze,
their young ones shall lie down together,
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play above the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the viper’s den.
They shall neither hurt nor destroy on all my holy mountain.
For the earth shall be as full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a sign to the people.
The nations will seek him, and his rest shall be glorious.
Responsorial – Psalm 72.1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Resp. 7
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Give the king your judgment, O God,
and your righteousness to the king's son.
He shall judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with judgment.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
In his day, justice shall flourish,
and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
He shall have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the river to the ends of the earth.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
He shall deliver the needy when they cry;
the poor, who have no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy,
and shall save the souls of the needy.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
His name will endure forever.
His name will continue as long as the sun.
The people will be blessed in him.
All nations will call him blessed.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Gospel – Luke 10.21-24
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I confess you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding
and revealed them to little children.
Yes, Father, for so it became benevolent in your sight.
All things have been handed to me by my Father,
and no one knows who the Son is if not the Father,
or who the Father is if not the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Then turning to the disciples, he spoke just to them:
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!
For I tell you that many prophets and kings
desired to see what you see, and did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Reading 1 – Isaiah 11.1-10
There shall come forth a shoot out of the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall sprout from his roots.
And the spirit of the LORD will rest upon him:
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and fortitude,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by eyesight,
nor correct using what his ears hear,
but he will judge the poor with righteousness,
and correct with equity for the meek of the earth,
and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
He will gird his waist with righteousness,
and gird his loins with faithfulness.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid.
The calf and the young lion and the fattened calf together,
and a little child shall lead them.
And the cow and bear shall graze,
their young ones shall lie down together,
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play above the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the viper’s den.
They shall neither hurt nor destroy on all my holy mountain.
For the earth shall be as full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a sign to the people.
The nations will seek him, and his rest shall be glorious.
Responsorial – Psalm 72.1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Resp. 7
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Give the king your judgment, O God,
and your righteousness to the king's son.
He shall judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with judgment.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
In his day, justice shall flourish,
and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
He shall have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the river to the ends of the earth.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
He shall deliver the needy when they cry;
the poor, who have no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy,
and shall save the souls of the needy.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
His name will endure forever.
His name will continue as long as the sun.
The people will be blessed in him.
All nations will call him blessed.
R. In his day, justice shall flourish, and the fullness of peace as long as the moon endures.
Gospel – Luke 10.21-24
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
“I confess you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding
and revealed them to little children.
Yes, Father, for so it became benevolent in your sight.
All things have been handed to me by my Father,
and no one knows who the Son is if not the Father,
or who the Father is if not the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Then turning to the disciples, he spoke just to them:
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!
For I tell you that many prophets and kings
desired to see what you see, and did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Monday of the First Week of Advent
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 2.1-5
The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
It shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest of mountains and shall be exalted above the hills,
and all nations shall flow to it.
Many people shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob, come! Let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Responsorial – Psalm 122.1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9 Resp. see 1
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
Our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem is built as a city
that is compact together.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
According to the covenant of Israel,
to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
For there are set thrones of judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
They shall prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
and prosperity within your ramparts.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
For the sake of my family and companions,
I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
Because of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your good.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 8.5-11
As Jesus entered into Capernaum,
a centurion came to him, petitioning him and saying,
“Lord, my servant lies paralyzed at home, grievously tormented.”
He said to him, “I will come to heal him.”
The centurion answered saying,
“Lord, I am not worthy that you enter under my roof,
but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.
For I, a human, am under authority.
I have soldiers under me, and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes;
and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
Hearing this, Jesus marveled, and said to those who followed,
“Amen I say unto you: I have not found such faith. Not in Israel.
I say to you, many shall come from the east and west,
and shall sit down to eat with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”
Reading 1 – Isaiah 2.1-5
The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
It shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest of mountains and shall be exalted above the hills,
and all nations shall flow to it.
Many people shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob, come! Let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Responsorial – Psalm 122.1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9 Resp. see 1
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
Our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem is built as a city
that is compact together.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
According to the covenant of Israel,
to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.
For there are set thrones of judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
They shall prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
and prosperity within your ramparts.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
For the sake of my family and companions,
I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
Because of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your good.
R. Let us gladly go to the house of the Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 8.5-11
As Jesus entered into Capernaum,
a centurion came to him, petitioning him and saying,
“Lord, my servant lies paralyzed at home, grievously tormented.”
He said to him, “I will come to heal him.”
The centurion answered saying,
“Lord, I am not worthy that you enter under my roof,
but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.
For I, a human, am under authority.
I have soldiers under me, and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes;
and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
Hearing this, Jesus marveled, and said to those who followed,
“Amen I say unto you: I have not found such faith. Not in Israel.
I say to you, many shall come from the east and west,
and shall sit down to eat with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”
First Sunday of Advent (C)
Official Translation
Reading 1 - Jeremiah 33.14-16
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will perform the promise I have spoken
concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah.
In those days, and at that time, I will cause a shoot of righteousness to grow up for David,
and he shall do justice and righteousness in the land.
In those days Judah shall be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell secure,
and this is the name by which she shall be called:
“The Lord, our righteousness.”
Responsorial – Psalm 25.4-5, 8-9, 10+14 Resp. 1b
R. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
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,
I wait for you all day long.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
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. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
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. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Reading 2 – 1 Thessalonians 3.12-4.2
Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love
for one another, and for all, just as we also do for you,
to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father,
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.
Finally, brothers and sisters, we beg and urge you in the Lord Jesus,
that as you received from us how you ought to act and to please God,
just as you are doing,
that you do it more and more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Gospel – Luke 21.25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars;
and on the earth anxiety of nations, perplexed for the roaring of the sea and the waves,
humans fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world:
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Human coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is near.
Guard yourselves, lest your hearts be burdened with parties and liquor and anxieties
and that day come upon you suddenly.
Like a trap, it shall spring upon all who sit upon the face of the whole earth.
Keep watch, praying at all times,
so that you will become strong enough to escape all these things that are to come,
and to stand before the Son of Human.”
Reading 1 - Jeremiah 33.14-16
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will perform the promise I have spoken
concerning the house of Israel and concerning the house of Judah.
In those days, and at that time, I will cause a shoot of righteousness to grow up for David,
and he shall do justice and righteousness in the land.
In those days Judah shall be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell secure,
and this is the name by which she shall be called:
“The Lord, our righteousness.”
Responsorial – Psalm 25.4-5, 8-9, 10+14 Resp. 1b
R. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
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,
I wait for you all day long.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
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. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
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. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Reading 2 – 1 Thessalonians 3.12-4.2
Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love
for one another, and for all, just as we also do for you,
to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father,
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.
Finally, brothers and sisters, we beg and urge you in the Lord Jesus,
that as you received from us how you ought to act and to please God,
just as you are doing,
that you do it more and more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Gospel – Luke 21.25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars;
and on the earth anxiety of nations, perplexed for the roaring of the sea and the waves,
humans fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world:
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Human coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is near.
Guard yourselves, lest your hearts be burdened with parties and liquor and anxieties
and that day come upon you suddenly.
Like a trap, it shall spring upon all who sit upon the face of the whole earth.
Keep watch, praying at all times,
so that you will become strong enough to escape all these things that are to come,
and to stand before the Son of Human.”
Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Revelation 22.1-7
John writes:
The angel showed me the river of the water of life, shining like crystal,
flowing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of the street.
On this side of the river and on that, the tree of life bears twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month.
The leaves of the tree were medicine for the nations, and all is not cursed anymore.
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his slaves worship him.
They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
The night will be no more, and they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light.
They will reign forever and ever.
He said to me, “These words are faithful and true.
The Lord, God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show to his slaves the things which must happen soon.
‘Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’”
Responsorial – Psalm 95.1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab Resp. 1 Corinthians 16.22b
R. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
O come, let us sing to the Lord.
Let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving.
Let us extol him with songs!
R. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great king above all gods;
In his hands are the depths of the earth,
and the tops of the mountains are his.
His is the sea, for he has made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
R. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker,
for he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep in his care.
R. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Gospel – Luke 21.34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Guard yourselves, lest your hearts be burdened with parties and liquor and anxieties
and that day come upon you suddenly.
Like a trap, it shall spring upon all who sit upon the face of the whole earth.
Keep watch, praying at all times,
so that you will become strong enough to escape all these things that are to come,
and to stand before the Son of Human.”
Reading 1 – Revelation 22.1-7
John writes:
The angel showed me the river of the water of life, shining like crystal,
flowing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of the street.
On this side of the river and on that, the tree of life bears twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month.
The leaves of the tree were medicine for the nations, and all is not cursed anymore.
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his slaves worship him.
They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
The night will be no more, and they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light.
They will reign forever and ever.
He said to me, “These words are faithful and true.
The Lord, God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show to his slaves the things which must happen soon.
‘Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’”
Responsorial – Psalm 95.1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab Resp. 1 Corinthians 16.22b
R. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
O come, let us sing to the Lord.
Let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving.
Let us extol him with songs!
R. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great king above all gods;
In his hands are the depths of the earth,
and the tops of the mountains are his.
His is the sea, for he has made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
R. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Come, let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker,
for he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep in his care.
R. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Gospel – Luke 21.34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Guard yourselves, lest your hearts be burdened with parties and liquor and anxieties
and that day come upon you suddenly.
Like a trap, it shall spring upon all who sit upon the face of the whole earth.
Keep watch, praying at all times,
so that you will become strong enough to escape all these things that are to come,
and to stand before the Son of Human.”
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