January 12, 2025 - THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD (Year C)

 

First Reading - Is 42:1-4.6-7

    Thus says the Lord: 

    “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit. He shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth. The coastlands will wait for his teaching. 

     I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand. I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 104

R –O bless the Lord, my soul!

* O Lord, my God, you are great indeed! you are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak. You have spread out the heavens like a tent-cloth. R. 

* You have constructed your palace upon the waters. You make the clouds your chariot; you travel on the wings of the wind. You make the winds your messengers, and flaming fire your ministers. R. 

* How manifold are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have wrought them all – the earth is full of your creatures; the sea also, great and wide, in which are schools without number of living things both small and great. R.

* If you take away their breath, they perish and return to the dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. R. 

Second Reading - Acts 10:34-38

     Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation, whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.

     You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” 

 

 Gospel Acclamation Mk 9:7 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Lk 3:15-16.21-22

    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 fire.” 

     After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

January 5, 2025 - SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (Year C)

 

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 overflow, 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 fill 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 afflicted ones with judgment. R. 

* Justice shall flower 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 man when he cries out, and the afflicted 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 benefit, 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, behold, 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.

29 December 2024 - Feast of the Holy Family (Year C)

 

1st Reading - Sir 3:2-7.12-14

    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 

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. 

* 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 - Col 3:12-2

    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. 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.

Gospel Acclamation 

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

Gospel - Lk 2:41-52

    Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. 

    He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

25 December 2024 - CHRISTMAS (MASS DURING THE DAY) Year C

 

1st Reading - Is 52:7-10 

    How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!” Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the Lord restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the Lord comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 98 

R –All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God!

* Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. R. 

* The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. R. 

* All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise! R. 

* Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn, sing joyfully before the King, the Lord! R. 

2nd Reading - Heb 1:1-6

    Brothers and sisters: 

    In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets. In these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe. 

    He is the refulgence of God’s glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 

    For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”? Or again: “I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me”? And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says: “Let all the angels of God worship him.”

Gospel Acclamation 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth. 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Gospel - Jn 1:1-5.9-14

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. 

    What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

    The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.  

    But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. 

    And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.    

24 December 2024 - CHRISTMAS EVE (MIDNIGHT MASS) Year C

 

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. He will rule as King David’s successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now on until the end of time. 

     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 fi lls 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 fi rstborn 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 find 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.”

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.