We’re two thirds of the way through Advent. Traditionally, today is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing.’ The reason for celebration is that the day of the Lord’s coming is very near.
Gaudete Sunday has this joyful Advent message: “Rejoice always .. give thanks .. hold fast to what is good.” See our Readings app (NRSV; android) @ Google Playstore. Also the Readings in the Jerusalem Bible version 1st Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 Our guidance comes from God’s Spirit The spirit of the Lord God is upon…
16 December 2017. Saturday of Advent, Week 2
15 December 2017. Friday of Advent, Week 2
14 December 2017. Thursday of Advent, Week 2
13 December 2017. Wednesday of Advent, Week 2
12 December 2017. Tuesday of Advent, Week 2
11 December 2017. Monday of Advent, Week 2
John the Baptist is the focus of the liturgy on the Second Sunday of Advent each year. His challenge to us to ‘prepare a way for the Lord’ is at the heart of the Advent message. We worship the one who will surely come to us.
John the Baptist prepares the way. When Jesus arrives, John disappears gracefully from the scene. See our Readings app (NRSV; android) @ Google Playstore. Also: Kieran O’Mahony’s exegetical comments on the Readings 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 God is coming to save his people and to open up our way into the future. Comfort, O…
Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlotoatzin (opt. mem.) 1st Reading. Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 The coming days of enlightenment, when the people turn aside from idolatry Truly, O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will…
1st Reading. Genesis 3:9-15, 20 The enmity between the serpent and the woman, between its offspring and hers But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid…
Saint Ambrose. Memorial 1st Reading. Isaiah 26:1-6 A hymn of confidence in the Lord, our everlasting rock On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; he sets up victory like walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, so that the righteous nation that keeps faith may…
St Nicholas (opt.mem) 1st Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10 The Lord God will wipe away all tears in the Messianic age. On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will…
1st Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 The Messiah will restore harmony and justice on earth. A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit…
St John Damascene, priest & doctor of the Church (opt mem) 1st Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 Swords will be beaten into ploughshares Thus says the Lord: “On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel….
Advent begins today; the season is at its shortest this year. During these first two weeks, the Church focuses on the end of time, when Christ will come in glory. Then, for the last week of Advent, we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
See our Readings app (NRSV; android) @ Google Playstore. Also: Sunday Readings in the Jerusalem Bible version 1st Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17, 64:1-8 The prophet laments his people’s sins but trusts in God’s mercy For you are our father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our…
1st Reading: Daniel 7:15-27 Daniel’s vision of the Beasts and its interpretation As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation…
1st Reading: Daniel 7:2-14 Daniel’s dream-vision: the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. The first was like a lion and had…
