Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 49.1-6
Listen, islands, to me;
and listen, you far off peoples:
the Lord has called me from the womb;
from the inner place of my mother
has he called me by name:
and he has made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand, he has hidden me:
and he has made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver has he kept me close:
and he said to me,
“You are my servant; Israel,
in whom I will be glorified.”
Though I said, “I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength in vain for nothing”,
yet surely the justice due to me is with the Lord,
and my reward with my God.
Now the Lord,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
says to bring Jacob again to him,
and that Israel be gathered to him.
I am honorable in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength.
Indeed, he says,
“It is too light a thing that
you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and to restore the preserved of Israel.
I will also make you a light to the nations,
that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.”
Responsorial – Psalm 139.1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15 Resp. 14
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Lord, you have searched me, and you know me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
My soul you know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the earth.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Reading 2 – Acts 13.22-26
In those days, Paul said:
“God 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.’
Men. Brothers. Children of Abraham.
And whoever among you fears God:
To you the word of salvation is sent.
Gospel – Luke 1.57-66, 80
Now the time
when Elizabeth would give birth had arrived,
and she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard
that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her,
and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day,
they came to circumcise the child;
and they would have called him Zachariah,
after the name of the father.
His mother answered,
“Not so; he will be called John.”
They said to her,
“There is no one among your relatives
who is called by this name.”
They made signs to his father,
what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,
“His name is John.”
They all were amazed.
His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed,
and he spoke, blessing God.
Fear came on all who lived around them,
and all these sayings were talked about
throughout all the hill country of Judea.
All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying,
“What then will this child be?”
The hand of the Lord was with him.
And the child grew and was strengthened in spirit,
and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Mass Readings
Showing posts with label Luke 01. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luke 01. Show all posts
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Nehemiah 8.2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of both men and women,
and all who could hear with understanding.
He read from the book at the wide place that was in front of the Water Gate
from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women,
and of those who could understand.
The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood, which they had made for the occasion.
Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people,
for he was above all the people,
and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.
All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands.
They bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Ezra read from the book of the law of God, distinctly,
and gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe,
and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people,
“Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”
For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat fat, drink sweets,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared,
for today is holy to our Lord.
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord must be your strength.”
Responsorial – Psalm 19.8, 9, 10, 15 Resp. John 6:63b
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
restoring the soul.
The covenant of the Lord is sure,
making the simple wise.
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 12.12-30
Brothers and sisters:
just as the body is one and has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, being many, are one body;
thus also is Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free,
and we all were given to drink one Spirit.
For the body is not one part but many.
If the foot would say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not part of the body,”
is it therefore less a part of the body?
If the ear would say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not part of the body,”
is it therefore less a part of the body?
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?
But now God has ordered the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.
If they were all the same part, where would the body be?
But now they are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot tell the hand, “I have no need for you,”
or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
No, rather, those parts of the body which seem to be weaker are more necessary.
Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, we bestow more abundant honor,
and our less presentable parts have greater propriety,
whereas our presentable parts have no such need.
But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,
so that there should be no division in the body,
rather the parts would have the same care for one another.
When one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.
When one part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and parts by shares.
God has set some in the Church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
then miracles, then gifts of healings, helping,
administering, and various kinds of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Are all miracle workers? Do all have gifts of healings?
Do all speak with various tongues? Do all interpret?
Gospel – Luke 1.1-4; 4.14-21
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative
concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and the ministers of the word
delivered them to us,
so it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately again,
to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus,
that you might know the certainty concerning teachings you have received.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee,
and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up.
He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day,
and stood up to read.
The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.
He opened the book and found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
recovering of sight to the blind,
to deliver those who are oppressed,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”
He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.
The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
He began to tell them,
“Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Reading 1 – Nehemiah 8.2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of both men and women,
and all who could hear with understanding.
He read from the book at the wide place that was in front of the Water Gate
from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women,
and of those who could understand.
The ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood, which they had made for the occasion.
Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people,
for he was above all the people,
and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.
All the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the lifting up of their hands.
They bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Ezra read from the book of the law of God, distinctly,
and gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe,
and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people,
“Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”
For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat fat, drink sweets,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared,
for today is holy to our Lord.
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord must be your strength.”
Responsorial – Psalm 19.8, 9, 10, 15 Resp. John 6:63b
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
restoring the soul.
The covenant of the Lord is sure,
making the simple wise.
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.
R. Your words, O Lord, are Spirit and life.
Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 12.12-30
Brothers and sisters:
just as the body is one and has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, being many, are one body;
thus also is Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free,
and we all were given to drink one Spirit.
For the body is not one part but many.
If the foot would say, “Because I am not the hand, I am not part of the body,”
is it therefore less a part of the body?
If the ear would say, “Because I am not the eye, I am not part of the body,”
is it therefore less a part of the body?
If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?
If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?
But now God has ordered the parts, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.
If they were all the same part, where would the body be?
But now they are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot tell the hand, “I have no need for you,”
or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
No, rather, those parts of the body which seem to be weaker are more necessary.
Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, we bestow more abundant honor,
and our less presentable parts have greater propriety,
whereas our presentable parts have no such need.
But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,
so that there should be no division in the body,
rather the parts would have the same care for one another.
When one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.
When one part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and parts by shares.
God has set some in the Church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
then miracles, then gifts of healings, helping,
administering, and various kinds of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Are all miracle workers? Do all have gifts of healings?
Do all speak with various tongues? Do all interpret?
Gospel – Luke 1.1-4; 4.14-21
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative
concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and the ministers of the word
delivered them to us,
so it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately again,
to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus,
that you might know the certainty concerning teachings you have received.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee,
and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up.
He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day,
and stood up to read.
The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.
He opened the book and found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
recovering of sight to the blind,
to deliver those who are oppressed,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”
He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.
The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him.
He began to tell them,
“Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
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 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.”
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.”
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.
Masses in Thanksgiving to God
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 8.55-61
King Solomon stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
“Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised.
Not a single word has failed of all his good promise which he promised by Moses his servant.
May the Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers.
Let him not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him,
to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his ordinances,
which he commanded our fathers.
Let these my words, with which I have made supplication before the Lord,
be near to the Lord our God day and night,
that he may maintain the cause of his servant,
and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires,
that all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and there is no other.
Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God,
to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as on this day.”
or Sirach 50.22-24
Bless, now the God of all; across the earth is his wondrous power,
the God who has increased our days from our mother's womb, and has acted mercifully to us.
May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and peace in our days in Israel forever,
that Israel may have faith that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.
or Isaiah 63.7-9
I will tell of the loving kindnesses of the Lord and the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has given to us, and his great goodness toward the house of Israel,
He has given to them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
For he said, “Surely, they are my people, children who will not deal falsely”, so he became their savior.
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the messenger of his presence saved them.
In his love and in his pity he redeemed them.
He bore them and carried them all the days of old.
or Zephaniah 3.14-15
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.
Responsorial – 1 Chronicles 29.10bc, 11, 12 Resp. 13b
R. Our God, we praise your glorious name.
Blessed are you, LORD,
God of Israel our father,
forever and ever.
R. Our God, we praise your glorious name.
Yours, O LORD is the greatness, and the power,
and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:
for all that is in the heavens and on earth is yours.
Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,
and you are exalted as head over all.
R. Our God, we praise your glorious name.
Both riches and honor come from you.
You reign over all.
In your hand is power and might,
and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all.
R. Our God, we praise your glorious name.
or Psalm 113.1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Resp. 2
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
Praise, you servants of the Lord,
praise the Lord’s name.
Blessed be the Lord’s name,
from this time forward and forevermore.
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,
the Lord’s name is to be praised
the Lord is high above all nations,
his glory above the heavens.
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
Who is like the Lord, our God,
who stoops down to see in heaven and on the earth?
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
He raises up the poor out of the dust.
Lifts up the needy from the ash heap;
that he may set him with princes,
even with the princes of his people.
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
or Psalm 138.1-2a, 2bc-3, 4-5 Resp. 2bc
R. I will give you thanks because of your loving kindness and your truth.
I will give you thanks with my whole heart.
for you have heard the words of my mouth
before the angels I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple,
R. I will give you thanks because of your loving kindness and your truth.
I will give thanks to your Name.
Because of your loving kindness and your truth,
In the day that I called, you answered me.
You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
R. I will give you thanks because of your loving kindness and your truth.
All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
Yes, they will sing of the ways of the Lord:
“Great is the glory of the Lord.”
R. I will give you thanks because of your loving kindness and your truth.
or Psalm 145.2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 Resp. 1
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
Every day I will bless you,
and I will praise your name forever; yea, forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and of his greatness there is no end.
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
Generation upon generation will praise your works
and declare your power.
They will speak of the magnificence of your glorious holiness:
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
Humans will speak of the might of your awesome acts.
I will declare your greatness.
They will utter the memory of your great goodness,
and will sing of your righteousness.
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
The Lord is gracious, merciful,
slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
The Lord is good to all.
His tender mercies are upon all his works.
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
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. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 1.3-9
Brothers and sisters:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always concerning you, for the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus,
that in everything you are enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge.
Just as the martyrdom of Christ was established in you.
Therefore you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who will also establish you until the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is the God through whom you were called into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.
or Ephesians 1.3-14
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 whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he purposed in him to an administration of the fullness of the times,
to sum up in Christ all things in the heavens and on the earth.
In him we were 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.
In whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,
having also believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance,
to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.
or Colossians 3.12-17
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against another.
even as the Lord forgave you, so must you also do.
Above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;
teaching in all wisdom and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,
singing with gratitude in your heart to the Lord.
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
Gospel – Matthew 7.7-11
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask, and it will be given to you.
Seek, and you will find.
Knock, and it will be opened for you.
For everyone who asks receives.
They who seek, find.
To the one who knocks, it will be opened.
Who is there among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you then, being perverse, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
or Matthew 11.25-30
At that time, Jesus answered,
“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.
Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.
All things have been delivered to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son, except the Father;
nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart,
and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
or Mark 5.18-20
As Jesus was entering into the boat,
he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him.
He did not allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your own,
and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you.”
He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis
that Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled.
or Luke 1.39-55
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,
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.”
or Luke 10.17-24
The seventy returned with joy, saying,
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
He said to them, “I saw Satan falling like lightning from heaven.
Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
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."
or Luke 17.11-19
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.
As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him.
Standing at a distance, they lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
As they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. He was a Samaritan.
Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
Was no one found to return to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”
Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has saved you.”
or John 15.9-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loved me, I also loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love;
even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be complete.
This is my commandment: that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this: that someone lay down their life for their friends.
You are my friends, if you do what I command you.
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what their Lord does.
But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you,
that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain;
so that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
I command these things to you, so that you will love one another.”
or John 16.20-22
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.
You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
A woman, while in labor, has sorrow, because her time has come.
But when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish anymore,
for the joy that a human is born into the world.
Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again,
and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”
Reading 1 – 1 Kings 8.55-61
King Solomon stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
“Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised.
Not a single word has failed of all his good promise which he promised by Moses his servant.
May the Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers.
Let him not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him,
to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his ordinances,
which he commanded our fathers.
Let these my words, with which I have made supplication before the Lord,
be near to the Lord our God day and night,
that he may maintain the cause of his servant,
and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires,
that all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and there is no other.
Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God,
to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as on this day.”
or Sirach 50.22-24
Bless, now the God of all; across the earth is his wondrous power,
the God who has increased our days from our mother's womb, and has acted mercifully to us.
May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and peace in our days in Israel forever,
that Israel may have faith that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.
or Isaiah 63.7-9
I will tell of the loving kindnesses of the Lord and the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has given to us, and his great goodness toward the house of Israel,
He has given to them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
For he said, “Surely, they are my people, children who will not deal falsely”, so he became their savior.
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the messenger of his presence saved them.
In his love and in his pity he redeemed them.
He bore them and carried them all the days of old.
or Zephaniah 3.14-15
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.
Responsorial – 1 Chronicles 29.10bc, 11, 12 Resp. 13b
R. Our God, we praise your glorious name.
Blessed are you, LORD,
God of Israel our father,
forever and ever.
R. Our God, we praise your glorious name.
Yours, O LORD is the greatness, and the power,
and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:
for all that is in the heavens and on earth is yours.
Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,
and you are exalted as head over all.
R. Our God, we praise your glorious name.
Both riches and honor come from you.
You reign over all.
In your hand is power and might,
and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all.
R. Our God, we praise your glorious name.
or Psalm 113.1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Resp. 2
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
Praise, you servants of the Lord,
praise the Lord’s name.
Blessed be the Lord’s name,
from this time forward and forevermore.
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,
the Lord’s name is to be praised
the Lord is high above all nations,
his glory above the heavens.
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
Who is like the Lord, our God,
who stoops down to see in heaven and on the earth?
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
He raises up the poor out of the dust.
Lifts up the needy from the ash heap;
that he may set him with princes,
even with the princes of his people.
R. Blessed be the Lord’s name forevermore. or R. Alleluia!
or Psalm 138.1-2a, 2bc-3, 4-5 Resp. 2bc
R. I will give you thanks because of your loving kindness and your truth.
I will give you thanks with my whole heart.
for you have heard the words of my mouth
before the angels I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple,
R. I will give you thanks because of your loving kindness and your truth.
I will give thanks to your Name.
Because of your loving kindness and your truth,
In the day that I called, you answered me.
You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
R. I will give you thanks because of your loving kindness and your truth.
All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
Yes, they will sing of the ways of the Lord:
“Great is the glory of the Lord.”
R. I will give you thanks because of your loving kindness and your truth.
or Psalm 145.2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 Resp. 1
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
Every day I will bless you,
and I will praise your name forever; yea, forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and of his greatness there is no end.
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
Generation upon generation will praise your works
and declare your power.
They will speak of the magnificence of your glorious holiness:
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
Humans will speak of the might of your awesome acts.
I will declare your greatness.
They will utter the memory of your great goodness,
and will sing of your righteousness.
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
The Lord is gracious, merciful,
slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
The Lord is good to all.
His tender mercies are upon all his works.
R. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
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. Lord, I will bless your name forever.
Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 1.3-9
Brothers and sisters:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God always concerning you, for the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus,
that in everything you are enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge.
Just as the martyrdom of Christ was established in you.
Therefore you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who will also establish you until the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is the God through whom you were called into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.
or Ephesians 1.3-14
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 whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he purposed in him to an administration of the fullness of the times,
to sum up in Christ all things in the heavens and on the earth.
In him we were 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.
In whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,
having also believed in him,
were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance,
to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.
or Colossians 3.12-17
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against another.
even as the Lord forgave you, so must you also do.
Above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;
teaching in all wisdom and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,
singing with gratitude in your heart to the Lord.
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
Gospel – Matthew 7.7-11
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask, and it will be given to you.
Seek, and you will find.
Knock, and it will be opened for you.
For everyone who asks receives.
They who seek, find.
To the one who knocks, it will be opened.
Who is there among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you then, being perverse, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
or Matthew 11.25-30
At that time, Jesus answered,
“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.
Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.
All things have been delivered to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son, except the Father;
nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart,
and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
or Mark 5.18-20
As Jesus was entering into the boat,
he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him.
He did not allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your own,
and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you.”
He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis
that Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled.
or Luke 1.39-55
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,
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.”
or Luke 10.17-24
The seventy returned with joy, saying,
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
He said to them, “I saw Satan falling like lightning from heaven.
Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
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."
or Luke 17.11-19
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.
As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him.
Standing at a distance, they lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”
As they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. He was a Samaritan.
Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
Was no one found to return to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”
Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has saved you.”
or John 15.9-17
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loved me, I also loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love;
even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be complete.
This is my commandment: that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this: that someone lay down their life for their friends.
You are my friends, if you do what I command you.
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what their Lord does.
But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you,
that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain;
so that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
I command these things to you, so that you will love one another.”
or John 16.20-22
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice.
You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
A woman, while in labor, has sorrow, because her time has come.
But when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish anymore,
for the joy that a human is born into the world.
Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again,
and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”
Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time (II)
Official Translation
Reading 1 - Galatians 3.1-5
O foolish Galatians!
Who has bewitched you before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed as crucified?
I just want to learn this from you:
Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by faith in what you heard?
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?
Did you suffer so many things in vain? If it is indeed in vain?
He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and does miracles among you,
does he do it by the works of the law, or by faith through hearing?
Responsorial - Luke 1.69-70, 71-72, 73-75 Resp. 68
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
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.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
He promised to show mercy to our fathers;
and to remember his holy covenant.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
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.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
Gospel – Luke 11.5-13
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Suppose that one of you, goes to a friend at midnight, and tells him,
‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey,
and I have nothing to set before him,”
And he from within will answer and say, “Do not bother me!
The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give it to you.’
I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend,
yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs.
I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives. They who seek, find.
To them who knock, the door will be opened.
Which of you fathers would give your son a snake instead of a fish?
Or give him a scorpion if he asks for an egg?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Reading 1 - Galatians 3.1-5
O foolish Galatians!
Who has bewitched you before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed as crucified?
I just want to learn this from you:
Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by faith in what you heard?
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?
Did you suffer so many things in vain? If it is indeed in vain?
He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you, and does miracles among you,
does he do it by the works of the law, or by faith through hearing?
Responsorial - Luke 1.69-70, 71-72, 73-75 Resp. 68
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
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.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
He promised to show mercy to our fathers;
and to remember his holy covenant.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
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.
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited his people
Gospel – Luke 11.5-13
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Suppose that one of you, goes to a friend at midnight, and tells him,
‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey,
and I have nothing to set before him,”
And he from within will answer and say, “Do not bother me!
The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give it to you.’
I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend,
yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs.
I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives. They who seek, find.
To them who knock, the door will be opened.
Which of you fathers would give your son a snake instead of a fish?
Or give him a scorpion if he asks for an egg?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mass During The Day
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 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 – Psalm 45.10, 11, 12, 16 Resp. 10bc
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear.
Forget your own people, and even your father’s house.
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
So will the king desire your beauty,
honor him, for he is your lord.
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led.
They shall enter into the king’s palace.
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 15.20-27
Brothers and Sisters:
Now Christ is risen from the dead,
and is the firstfruits of those who fell asleep.
For since through a human came death,
the resurrection of the dead also came through a human.
For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ all will be made alive.
But each in their own order:
Christ the firstfruits.
Afterward, at his coming, those who are Christ’s.
Then comes the end,
when he will deliver the kingdom to his God and Father,
when he will tear down
all government and all authority and power.
For it is necessary that he reign,
until he has put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
“For he subjected everything under his feet.”
Gospel – Luke 1.39-56
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,
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.
Reading 1 – 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 – Psalm 45.10, 11, 12, 16 Resp. 10bc
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear.
Forget your own people, and even your father’s house.
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
So will the king desire your beauty,
honor him, for he is your lord.
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led.
They shall enter into the king’s palace.
R. At your right hand the queen stands in gold of Ophir.
Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 15.20-27
Brothers and Sisters:
Now Christ is risen from the dead,
and is the firstfruits of those who fell asleep.
For since through a human came death,
the resurrection of the dead also came through a human.
For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ all will be made alive.
But each in their own order:
Christ the firstfruits.
Afterward, at his coming, those who are Christ’s.
Then comes the end,
when he will deliver the kingdom to his God and Father,
when he will tear down
all government and all authority and power.
For it is necessary that he reign,
until he has put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
“For he subjected everything under his feet.”
Gospel – Luke 1.39-56
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,
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.
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist during the Day
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 49.1-6
Listen, islands, to me;
and listen, you far off peoples:
the Lord has called me from the womb;
from the inner place of my mother
has he called me by name:
and he has made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand, he has hidden me:
and he has made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver has he kept me close:
and he said to me,
“You are my servant; Israel,
in whom I will be glorified.”
Though I said, “I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength in vain for nothing”,
yet surely the justice due to me is with the Lord,
and my reward with my God.
Now the Lord,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
says to bring Jacob again to him,
and that Israel be gathered to him.
I am honorable in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength.
Indeed, he says,
“It is too light a thing that
you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and to restore the preserved of Israel.
I will also make you a light to the nations,
that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.”
Responsorial – Psalm 139.1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15 Resp. 14
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Lord, you have searched me, and you know me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
My soul you know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the earth.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Reading 2 – Acts 13.22-26
In those days, Paul said:
“God 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.’
Men. Brothers. Children of Abraham.
And whoever among you fears God:
To you the word of salvation is sent.
Gospel – Luke 1.57-66, 80
Now the time
when Elizabeth would give birth had arrived,
and she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard
that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her,
and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day,
they came to circumcise the child;
and they would have called him Zachariah,
after the name of the father.
His mother answered,
“Not so; he will be called John.”
They said to her,
“There is no one among your relatives
who is called by this name.”
They made signs to his father,
what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,
“His name is John.”
They all were amazed.
His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed,
and he spoke, blessing God.
Fear came on all who lived around them,
and all these sayings were talked about
throughout all the hill country of Judea.
All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying,
“What then will this child be?”
The hand of the Lord was with him.
And the child grew
and was strengthened in spirit,
and was in the deserts
until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Reading 1 – Isaiah 49.1-6
Listen, islands, to me;
and listen, you far off peoples:
the Lord has called me from the womb;
from the inner place of my mother
has he called me by name:
and he has made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand, he has hidden me:
and he has made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver has he kept me close:
and he said to me,
“You are my servant; Israel,
in whom I will be glorified.”
Though I said, “I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength in vain for nothing”,
yet surely the justice due to me is with the Lord,
and my reward with my God.
Now the Lord,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
says to bring Jacob again to him,
and that Israel be gathered to him.
I am honorable in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God has become my strength.
Indeed, he says,
“It is too light a thing that
you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and to restore the preserved of Israel.
I will also make you a light to the nations,
that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.”
Responsorial – Psalm 139.1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15 Resp. 14
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Lord, you have searched me, and you know me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
My soul you know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the earth.
R. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Reading 2 – Acts 13.22-26
In those days, Paul said:
“God 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.’
Men. Brothers. Children of Abraham.
And whoever among you fears God:
To you the word of salvation is sent.
Gospel – Luke 1.57-66, 80
Now the time
when Elizabeth would give birth had arrived,
and she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard
that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her,
and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day,
they came to circumcise the child;
and they would have called him Zachariah,
after the name of the father.
His mother answered,
“Not so; he will be called John.”
They said to her,
“There is no one among your relatives
who is called by this name.”
They made signs to his father,
what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,
“His name is John.”
They all were amazed.
His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed,
and he spoke, blessing God.
Fear came on all who lived around them,
and all these sayings were talked about
throughout all the hill country of Judea.
All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying,
“What then will this child be?”
The hand of the Lord was with him.
And the child grew
and was strengthened in spirit,
and was in the deserts
until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist at the Vigil Mass
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Jeremiah 1.4-10
In the days of King Josiah,
the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
Before you were born, I dedicated you.
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
hen I said, “Ah, Lord. O Lord! Behold,
I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am too young’
for you must go to whomever I send you,
and you must say whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid because of them,
for I am with you to rescue you,” says the Lord.
Then the Lord stretched out his hand
and touched my mouth.
Then the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
Behold, I have this day
set you over the nations
and over the kingdoms,
to uproot and to tear down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
Responsorial – Psalm 71.1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 Resp. 6
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
In you, the Lord, I take refuge.
Never let me be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me.
Turn your ear to me, and save me.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
a safe stronghold.
You are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
For you are my hope, O 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. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
My mouth will tell about your righteousness,
and of your salvation all day,
God, you have taught me from my youth.
Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
Reading 2 – 1 Peter 1.8-12
Beloved:
Not having known him, you love;
though now you do not see him,
yet believing, you rejoice greatly
with joy unspeakable and full of glory
receiving the result of your faith,
the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation,
the prophets sought and searched diligently,
those who prophesied
of the grace that would come to you,
searching for who or what kind of time
the Spirit of Christ in them pointed to,
when it predicted the sufferings of Christ,
and the glories that would follow them.
To them it was revealed,
that not to themselves, but to you,
they ministered these things,
which now have been announced to you
through those who preached the Gospel to you
by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven;
which things angels desire to look into.
Gospel – Luke 1.5-17
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.”
Reading 1 – Jeremiah 1.4-10
In the days of King Josiah,
the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
Before you were born, I dedicated you.
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
hen I said, “Ah, Lord. O Lord! Behold,
I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am too young’
for you must go to whomever I send you,
and you must say whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid because of them,
for I am with you to rescue you,” says the Lord.
Then the Lord stretched out his hand
and touched my mouth.
Then the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
Behold, I have this day
set you over the nations
and over the kingdoms,
to uproot and to tear down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
Responsorial – Psalm 71.1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab+17 Resp. 6
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
In you, the Lord, I take refuge.
Never let me be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me.
Turn your ear to me, and save me.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
a safe stronghold.
You are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
For you are my hope, O 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. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
My mouth will tell about your righteousness,
and of your salvation all day,
God, you have taught me from my youth.
Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
R. You are my strong refuge, since my mother’s womb.
Reading 2 – 1 Peter 1.8-12
Beloved:
Not having known him, you love;
though now you do not see him,
yet believing, you rejoice greatly
with joy unspeakable and full of glory
receiving the result of your faith,
the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation,
the prophets sought and searched diligently,
those who prophesied
of the grace that would come to you,
searching for who or what kind of time
the Spirit of Christ in them pointed to,
when it predicted the sufferings of Christ,
and the glories that would follow them.
To them it was revealed,
that not to themselves, but to you,
they ministered these things,
which now have been announced to you
through those who preached the Gospel to you
by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven;
which things angels desire to look into.
Gospel – Luke 1.5-17
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.”
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Isaiah 7.10-14, 8:10
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,
which means “God is with us!”
Responsorial – Psalm 40.7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11 R. 8a+9a
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire.
You have opened my ears.
You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.
Then I said, “Behold, I have come.
R. Behold, I have come; I delight to do your will, my God.
It is written about me in the scroll:
“I delight to do your will, my God.
Yes, your law is within my heart.”
R. Behold, I have come; I delight to do your will, my God.
I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly.
Behold, you know I will not seal my lips, O Lord.
R. Behold, I have come; I delight to do your will, my God.
I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart.
I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation.
I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth
from the great assembly.
R. Behold, I have come; I delight to do your will, my God.
Reading 2 – Hebrews 10.4-10
Brothers and sisters:
It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats
would take away sins.
Therefore 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 1:26-38
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 – Isaiah 7.10-14, 8:10
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,
which means “God is with us!”
Responsorial – Psalm 40.7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11 R. 8a+9a
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire.
You have opened my ears.
You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.
Then I said, “Behold, I have come.
R. Behold, I have come; I delight to do your will, my God.
It is written about me in the scroll:
“I delight to do your will, my God.
Yes, your law is within my heart.”
R. Behold, I have come; I delight to do your will, my God.
I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly.
Behold, you know I will not seal my lips, O Lord.
R. Behold, I have come; I delight to do your will, my God.
I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart.
I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation.
I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth
from the great assembly.
R. Behold, I have come; I delight to do your will, my God.
Reading 2 – Hebrews 10.4-10
Brothers and sisters:
It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats
would take away sins.
Therefore 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 1:26-38
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.
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.”
December 23
Official Translation
Reading 1 – Malachi 3.1-4, 23-24
Thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I send my messenger,
and he will prepare the way before me;
and the Lord, whom you seek,
will suddenly come to his temple;
and the messenger of the covenant,
whom you desire,
behold, he comes!” says the Lord of Hosts.
“But who can endure the day of his coming?
And who will stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire,
and like the fuller’s lye;
and he will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
and refine them like gold and silver;
and they shall offer to the Lord,
sacrifices of righteousness.
Then the sacrifices of Judah and Jerusalem
will be pleasant to the Lord,
as in the days of old, and as in ancient years.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Responsorial – Psalm 25.4-5ab, 8-9, 10+14, Resp. (see Luke 21.28)
R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.
Show me your ways, O Lord.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,
R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.
Good and upright is the Lord,
therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
He will guide the humble in justice.
He will teach the humble his way.
R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.
All the paths of the Lord are loving kindness and truth
toward such as keep his covenant and his commandments.
The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him.
He will teach them his covenant.
R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.
Gospel – Luke 1.57-66
Now the time
when Elizabeth would give birth had arrived,
and she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard
that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her,
and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day,
they came to circumcise the child;
and they would have called him Zachariah,
after the name of the father.
His mother answered,
“Not so; he will be called John.”
They said to her,
“There is no one among your relatives
who is called by this name.”
They made signs to his father,
what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,
“His name is John.”
They all were amazed.
His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed,
and he spoke, blessing God.
Fear came on all who lived around them,
and all these sayings were talked about
throughout all the hill country of Judea.
All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying,
“What then will this child be?”
The hand of the Lord was with him.
Reading 1 – Malachi 3.1-4, 23-24
Thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I send my messenger,
and he will prepare the way before me;
and the Lord, whom you seek,
will suddenly come to his temple;
and the messenger of the covenant,
whom you desire,
behold, he comes!” says the Lord of Hosts.
“But who can endure the day of his coming?
And who will stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire,
and like the fuller’s lye;
and he will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
and refine them like gold and silver;
and they shall offer to the Lord,
sacrifices of righteousness.
Then the sacrifices of Judah and Jerusalem
will be pleasant to the Lord,
as in the days of old, and as in ancient years.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Responsorial – Psalm 25.4-5ab, 8-9, 10+14, Resp. (see Luke 21.28)
R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.
Show me your ways, O Lord.
Teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation,
R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.
Good and upright is the Lord,
therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
He will guide the humble in justice.
He will teach the humble his way.
R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.
All the paths of the Lord are loving kindness and truth
toward such as keep his covenant and his commandments.
The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him.
He will teach them his covenant.
R. Lift up your heads and look, because your redemption is near.
Gospel – Luke 1.57-66
Now the time
when Elizabeth would give birth had arrived,
and she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and her relatives heard
that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her,
and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day,
they came to circumcise the child;
and they would have called him Zachariah,
after the name of the father.
His mother answered,
“Not so; he will be called John.”
They said to her,
“There is no one among your relatives
who is called by this name.”
They made signs to his father,
what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote,
“His name is John.”
They all were amazed.
His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed,
and he spoke, blessing God.
Fear came on all who lived around them,
and all these sayings were talked about
throughout all the hill country of Judea.
All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying,
“What then will this child be?”
The hand of the Lord was with him.
December 22
Official Translation
Reading 1 – 1 Samuel 1.24-28
When Hannah had weaned Samuel,
she took him up with her,
with a three-year-old bull,
and one ephah of flour,
and a skin of wine,
and brought him to the Lord’s house in Shiloh.
The child was young.
They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.
She said, “Oh, my lord,
as your soul lives, my lord,
I am the woman who stood by you here,
praying to the Lord.
For this child I prayed;
and the Lord has given me my petition
which I asked of him.
Therefore I have dedicated him to the Lord.
As long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.”
He worshiped the Lord there.
Responsorial – 1 Samuel 2.1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd Resp. 1a, Luke 1.47b
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“My heart exults in the Lord!
My horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth is enlarged over my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“The bows of the mighty are broken.
Those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread.
Those who were hungry are satisfied.
Yes, the barren one has borne seven.
She who has many children languishes.
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“The Lord kills and gives life.
He brings down to Sheol,
and brings up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich.
He brings low;
he also lifts up.
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
He raises up the poor out of the dust.
He lifts up the needy from the dunghill,
To have them sit with princes,
and inherit the throne of glory.
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
Gospel – Luke 1.46-56
Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked at the
humble state of his handmaid.
For behold, from now on,
all generations will call me blessed.
For the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
His mercy is for generations of generations
for those who fear him.
He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered the proud
in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down princes from their thrones.
And has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things.
He has sent the rich away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his offspring forever.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months,
and then returned to her home.
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.”
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