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.”