SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (B) - January 3, 2021

 

1st Reading: Is 60:1-6

    Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. 
     Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overfl ow, for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fi ll you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 72 

R –Lord, every nation on earth will adore you! 

* O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king’s son. He shall govern your people with justice and your affl icted ones with judgment. R. 

* Justice shall fl ower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. R. 

* The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts; the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute. All kings shall pay him homage, all nations shall serve him. R. 

* For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the affl icted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. R

2nd Reading: Eph 3:2-3.5-6

    Brothers and sisters: 

    You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefi t, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation. It was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles are co-heirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus, through the Gospel. 

Gospel Acclamation: Mt 2:2 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Mt 2:1-12

    When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ 

    ” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage.” 

     After their audience with the king, the Magi set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. The Magi were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

    And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD - January 1, 2021

 1st Reading: Nm 6:22-27

       The Lord said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: 
     ‘The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!’ 
     So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 67 

R –May God bless us in his mercy!

* May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. R. 
* May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. R. 
* May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! R. 

2nd Reading: Gal 4:4-7

    Brothers and sisters: 
     When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 
     As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God. 

Gospel Acclamation: Heb 1:1-2 

Alleluia! Alleluia! In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son. 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Lk 2:16-21

    The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, refl ecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 

     When eight days were completed for his circumcision, the baby was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - December 27, 2020 (B)

 

Reading 1: SIR 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.

Responsorial Psalm: PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Reading 2: COL 3:12-21 

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 
if one has a grievance against another; 
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love, 
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, 
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives, 
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything, 
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children, 
so they may not become discouraged.

Alleluia: COL 3:15A, 16A 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: LK 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification 
according to the law of Moses, 
They took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord, 
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, 
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, 
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel, 
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit 
that he should not see death 
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple; 
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus 
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 
He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 
“Behold, this child is destined 
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted 
—and you yourself a sword will pierce— 
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, 
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years, 
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple, 
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time, 
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child 
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; 
and the favor of God was upon him.

Christmas Midnight - December 24, 2020

 

1st Reading: Is 9:1-6

    The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 
    You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 
    For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a Child is born to us, a Son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96 

R – Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord!

* Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. Sing to the Lord; bless his name. R. 

* Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R. 

* Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult. R. 

* They shall exult before the Lord, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy. R. 

2nd Reading: Ti 2:11-14

Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia! Alleluia!

I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord. 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Lk 2:1-14

    In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. 

    And Joseph, too, went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. 

     She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

     Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. 

    The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today, in the city of David, a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will fi nd an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 

     And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

4th Sunday of Advent (B) - December 20, 2020

 

1st Reading: 2 Sm 7:15.8-12.14.16

    When King David was settled in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” 
     But that night the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Should you build me a house to dwell in? It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. 
     I will fi x a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. 
     I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you,
sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom fi rm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand fi rm forever.’ ”

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 89 

R –For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord!

* The promises of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, “My kindness is established forever.” In heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. R. 

* “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I 

confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” R. 

* “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my Savior.’ Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands fi rm.” R. 

2nd Reading: Rom 16:25-27

Brothers and sisters: 

     To him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Gospel Acclamation: Lk 1:38 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Lk 1:26-38

    The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Coming to her, the angel said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 

     Then 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 bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called ‘Son of the Most High,’ and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 

     But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” 

     Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

December 13, 2020 - 3rd Sunday of Advent (B)

 1st Reading: Is 61:1-2.10-11

    The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God.
     I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. 
     As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.

Responsorial Psalm Lk 1 

R –My soul rejoices in my God!

* My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed. R. 

* The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. R. 

* He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy. R.

2nd Reading: 1 Thes 5:16-24

    Brothers and sisters: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil. 

     May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.

Gospel Acclamation Is 61:1 

All – Alleluia! Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Jn 1:6-8.19-28 

    A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. 

     And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say about yourself?” He said: “ ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 

     Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 

     This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

December 6, 2020 - 2nd Sunday of Advent (B)

 

1st Reading: Is 40:1-5.9-11
    Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
     A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! 
     Every valley shall be fi lled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. 
     Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 
     Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 85

 R –Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation!

* I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord – for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. R. 

* Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. R.

* The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps. R. 

2nd Reading: 2 Pt 3:8-14

    Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

     But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar and the elements will be dissolved by fi re, and the earth and everything done on it will be found out. 

     Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fi re. 

     But according to his promise, we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace

Gospel Acclamation Lk 3:4.6 

All – Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Mk 1:1-8 

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

     As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. 

     A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’                 John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. 

     John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

1st Sunday of Advent (B) - November 29, 2020

 

1st Reading: Is 63:16-17. 19; 64:2-7

    You, Lord, are our father, our redeemer you are named
forever. Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from your ways,
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not? Return for
the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. Oh,
that you would rend the heavens and come down, with the
mountains quaking before you, while you wrought awesome
deeds we could not hope for, such as they had not heard of
from of old. No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any
God but you doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
    Would that you might meet us doing right, that we were
mindful of you in our ways! Behold, you are angry, and
we are sinful; all of us have become like unclean people,
all our good deeds are like polluted rags; we have all withered
like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
There is none who calls upon your name, who rouses himself
to cling to you; for you have hidden your face from us and
have delivered us up to our guilt. Yet, O Lord, you are our
father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work
o f your hands.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80

R –Lord, make us turn to you, let us see your face and we

shall be saved!

O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the

cherubim, shine forth. Rouse your power, and come to save us. R.

* Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven,

and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right

hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. R.

* May your help be with the man of your right hand, with

the son of man whom you yourself made strong. Then we will

no more withdraw from you. Give us new life, and we will call upon your name. R.

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 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 on your account for the

grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus. In him you were

enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge,

as the testimony to Christ was confi rmed among you, so that

you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the

revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you fi rm to

the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with

his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel Acclamation: Ps 85:8

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel: Mk 13:33-37

    Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do

not know when the time will come.

    It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and

places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and

orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.

    Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the

house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at

cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and

fi nd you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’ ”

November 22, 2020: SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING (Year A)

 

1st Reading: Ez 34:11-12.15-17

Thus says the Lord God: “I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his fl ock when he fi nds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest,” says the Lord God. “The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly. As for you, my sheep,” says the Lord God, “I will judge between one sheep and  another, between rams and goats.”

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 23 

R – The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want!

* Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s 
sake. R. 

* You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overfl ows. R. 

* Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. R. 

2nd Reading: 1 Cor 15:20-26.28

    Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the fi rstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead came also through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life. But each one in proper order: Christ the fi rstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. 
     Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Mt 25:31-46

    Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 

     Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 

     Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fi re prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’     

    Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ 

     And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

November 15, 2020: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

 1st Reading: Prv 31:10-13. 19-20.30-31

When one fi nds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She obtains wool and fl ax and works with loving hands. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fi ngers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. Charm is deceptive and beauty fl eeting; the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her a reward for her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 128 

R –Blessed are those who fear the Lord!

* Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. R. 

* Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. R. 

* Behold, thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you from Zion: may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. R. 

2nd Reading: 1 Thes 5:1-6

    Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 
     But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober. 

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Remain in me as I remain in you, says the Lord. Whoever remains in me bears much fruit. 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Mt 25:14-30

    Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave fi ve talents; to another, two; to a third, one – to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 

     Immediately, the one who received fi ve talents went and traded with them, and made another fi ve. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 

     After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received fi ve talents came forward bringing the additional fi ve. He said, ‘Master, you gave me fi ve talents. See, I have made fi ve more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 

     Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ 

     Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter. So out of fear, I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ ”

November 8, 2020: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

 

1st Reading: Wis 6:12-16 

    Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire. Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 63 

R –My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God!

* O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my fl esh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. R. 

* Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you. R. 

* Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name. As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfi ed, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. R. 

* I will remember you upon my couch, and through the night-watches I will meditate on you. You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. R.

2nd Reading: 1 Thes 4:13- 18

    We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise fi rst. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. 
    Therefore, console one another with these words.

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Stay awake and be ready! For you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Mt 25:1-13

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought fl asks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 

     Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” 

November 1, 2020: SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

 

1st Reading: Rv 7:2-4.9-1

    I, John, saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea, “Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal – one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites. 
     After this, I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed: “Amen! Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen!” Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these [who are] wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 24 

R –Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face! 

* The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. R. 

* Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may s tand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. R. 

* He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. R. 

2nd Reading: 1 Jn 3:1-3 

    Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. 
    Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.

Gospel Acclamation

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest,” says the Lord! 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Mt 5:1-12a 

    When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfi ed. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) October 25, 2020

 

1st Reading Ex 22:20-26 

Thus says the Lord: “You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. My wrath will fl are up, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans. If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him by demanding interest from him. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you shall return it to him before sunset, for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body. What else has he to sleep in? If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 18 

R –I love you, Lord, my strength!
* I love you, O Lord, my strength, O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. R. 
* My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! Praised be the Lord, I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies. R. 
* The Lord lives and blessed be my rock! Extolled be God my savior. You who gave great victories to your king and showed kindness to your anointed. R. 

2nd Reading 1 Thes 1:5-10 

Brothers and sisters: You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affl iction, with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath. 

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel Mt 22:34-40 

 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law, tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the fi rst commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) October 18, 2020

1st Reading Is 45:1.4-6 

 Thus says the Lord to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred: For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you knew me not. I am the Lord and there is no other, there is no God besides me. It is I who arm you, though you know me not, so that toward the rising and the setting of the sun people may know that there is none besides me. I am the Lord, there is no other.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 96 

R –Give the Lord glory and honor! 
* Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R. 
* For great is the Lord and highly to be praised; awesome is he, beyond all gods. For all the gods of the nations are things of nought, but the Lord made the heavens. R
* Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise; give to the Lord the glory due his name! Bring gifts, and enter his courts. R. 
* Worship the Lord in holy attire. Tremble before him, all the earth; say among the nations: The Lord is king, he governs the peoples with equity. R. 

2nd Reading 1 Thes 1:1-5 

 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father. We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, how you were chosen. For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel Mt 22:15-21 

The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Knowing their malice, Jesus said, “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax.” Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, “Whose image is this and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” At that he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), October 11, 2020

 1st Reading Is 25:6-10 

 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain. 

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23 

R –I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life! 

* The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. R. 
* He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. R. 
* You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overfl ows. R. 
*Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. R.

2nd Reading Phil 4:12-14. 19-20

Brothers and sisters: I know how to live in humble circumstances. I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen! 

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia! Alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel Mt 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.” ’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you fi nd.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was fi lled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.” 

   

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) October 4, 2020

 1st Reading: Is 5:1-7 

Let me now sing of my friend, my friend’s song concerning his vineyard. My friend had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He spaded it, cleared it of stones, and planted the choicest vines; within it he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press. Then he looked for the crop of grapes, but what it yielded was wild grapes. Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard: What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done? Why, when I looked for the crop of grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? Now, I will let you know what I mean to do with my vineyard: take away its hedge, give it to grazing, break through its wall, let it be trampled! Yes, I will make it a ruin: it shall not be pruned or hoed, but overgrown with thorns and briers. I will command the clouds not to send rain upon it. The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant. He looked for judgment, but see, bloodshed! for justice, but hark, the outcry! 

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80 

R –The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel! 
* A vine from Egypt you transplanted; you drove away the nations and planted it. It put forth its foliage to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River. R. 
* Why have you broken down its walls, so that every passer-by plucks its fruit; the boar from the forest lays it waste, and the beasts of the fi eld feed upon it? R. 
* Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. R. 
* Then we will no more withdraw from you. Give us new life, and we will call upon your name. O Lord, God of hosts, restore us; if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved. R. 

2nd Reading: Phil 4:6-9 

Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. 

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia! Alleluia! I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord, to go and bear fruit that will remain. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel: Mt 21:33-43 

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the fi rst ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”