22 December 2024 - 4th Sunday of Advent (Year C)

 

1st Reading - Mi 5:1-4

    Thus says the Lord: You, Bethlehem–Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times.

     The Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God. And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth. He shall be peace.

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 - Heb 10:5-10

    Brothers and sisters: 

    When Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and off ering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’ ” 

    First he says, “Sacrifices and off erings, holocausts and sin off erings, you neither desired nor delighted in.” (These are off ered according to the law.) Then he says, “Behold, I come to do your will.”

     He takes away the first to establish the second. By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the off ering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

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 1:39-45

    Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 

    When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

15 December 2024 - 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year C)

 

1st Reading - Zep 3:14-18

    Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love. He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.” 

Responsorial Psalm - Is 12 

R –Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the Great and Holy One of Israel!

* God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord. He has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. R. 

* Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. R. 

* Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel! R. 

2nd Reading - Phil 4:4-7

    Brothers and sisters: 

    Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. 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 that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

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 - Lk 3:10-18

    The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”

              Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” 

     Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfi ed with your wages.” 

     Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fi re. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 

     Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

8 December 2024 - 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year C)

 

1st Reading - Bar 5:1-9

    Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. 

     For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship. 

     Up, Jerusalem! Stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.

     Led away on foot by their enemies they left you, but God will bring them back to you, borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. 

     For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low. And that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. 

     The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God’s command; for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 126 

R –The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy!

* When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was fi lled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. R. 

* Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. R. 

* Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. R. 

* Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. R

2nd Reading - Phil 1:4-6.8-11

    Brothers and sisters: 

    I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Gospel Acclamation - Lk 3:4.6 

All – Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all mankind shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Lk 3:1-6

    In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” 

1 December 2024 - 1st Sunday of Advent (Year C)

 

1st Reading - Jer 33:14-16

    The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfi ll the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah. In those days, at that time, I will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The Lord our justice.”

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 25

 R – To you, O Lord, I lift my soul!

* Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day. R.

* Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, and teaches the humble his way. R. 

* All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. The friendship of the Lord is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction. R.

2nd Reading - 1 Thes 3:12-4:2

    Brothers and sisters: 

     May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen! 

     Finally, brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God – and as you are conducting yourselves – you do so even more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Gospel Acclamation - Ps 85:8 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Show us, Lord, your love, and grant us your salvation. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Lk 21:25-28.34-36

    Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

    But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. 

    Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

November 24, 2024 - SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING (Year B)

 

 First Reading - Dn 7:13-14

    As the visions during the night continued, I saw one like a Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven. When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. 

     His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

 Responsorial Psalm - Ps 93 

 R –The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty!

 * The Lord is king, in splendor robed; robed is the Lord and girt about with strength. R. 

 * And he has made the world firm, not to be moved. Your throne stands firm from of old; from everlasting you are, O Lord. R. 

 * Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed; holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days. R. 

 Second Reading - Rv 1:5-8

    Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen! 

     Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes! Amen! 

     “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the al mighty.”

 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 - Jn 18:33-37

    Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own, or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not here.” 

     So Pilate said to him, “Then, you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

17 November 2024 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

First Reading - Dn 12:1-3

     In those days, I, Daniel, heard this word of the Lord: “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people. 

     It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. 

     At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”

 Responsorial - Psalm Ps 16 

 R –You are my inheritance, O Lord!

 * O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R.

* Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R. 

 * You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. R. 

 Second Reading - Heb 10:11-14.18

    Brothers and sisters: 

     Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one [Jesus] offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God. Now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. 

     Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is no longer offering for sin.

 Gospel Acclamation 

 Alleluia! Alleluia!
 Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man. Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Gospel - Mk 13:24-32

    Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 

     And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. 

     Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. 

     Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Fa ther.”

November 10, 2024 - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

 First Reading - 1 Kgs 17:10-16

     In those days, Elijah the prophet went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a bit of bread.” She answered, “As the Lord, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’ ” 

     She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.

 Responsorial Psalm - Ps 146 

 R –Praise the Lord, my soul!

 * The Lord keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free. R. 

 * The Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord raises up those who were bowed down. The Lord loves the just; the Lord protects strangers. R. 

 * The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia! R.

 Second Reading - Heb 9:24-28

     Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. Not that he might of fer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own. If that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now, once for all, he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. 

     Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will ap pear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

Gospel Acclamation - Mt 5:3 

 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

 Gospel Mk 12:38-44

    In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of hon or at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” 

     He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Call ing his disciples to himself, Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has con tributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”