Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Date: December 27, 2009

First Reading (1 Samuel 1: 20-22 and 24-28)
A reading from the first book of Samuel.
In those days, Hannah became pregnant. She gave birth to a son and called him Samuel because she stated, "I have asked the Lord to give him to me." Once more Elkanah went to the temple with his family to offer his yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow to the Lord. Hannah would not go along but she asserted to her husband, "I will bring the child there as soon as he is weaned. He shall be presented to the Lord and stay there forever." When Samuel was weaned, Hannah took him with her along with a three-year-old bull, a measure of flour and a flask of wine, and she brought him to the Lord's house at Shiloh. Samuel was still young. After they had slain the bull, they brought Samuel to Eli. Hannah exclaimed, "Oh, my lord, look! I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. I asked for this child and the Lord granted me the favor I begged of him. Now, I think, the Lord is asking for this child. As long as he lives, he belongs to the Lord." And they worshipped the Lord and Hannah left Samuel there.

Second Reading (1 John 3: 1-2 and 21-24)
A reading from the first letter of Saint John.
Beloved: See what singular love the Father has for us: we are called children of God, and we really are. This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children and what we shall be has not yet been shown. Yet when he appears in his glory, we know that we shall be like him, for then we shall see him as he is. When our conscience does not condemn us, dear friends, we may have complete confidence in God. Then whatever we ask we shall receive, since we keep his commands and do what pleases him. His command is that we believe in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we love one another, as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments remains in God and God in him. It is by the Spirit God has given us that we know he lives in us.

Gospel (Luke 2: 41-52)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary. And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them according to the custom for this feast. After the festival was over, Jesus' parents returned, but Jesus remained in Jerusalem and his parents did not know that he stayed in Jerusalem. Jesus' parents thought he was in the company and after walking the whole day they searched for him among their relatives and friends. Jesus' parents did not find their boy, so they went back to Jerusalem, continuing to search for their lost boy, Jesus. On the third day, they located him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Jesus' parents were surprised when they saw him. So Jesus' mother stated to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while we were searching for you." Then Jesus stated to his parents, "Why were you searching for me? Do you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" However, Jesus' parents did not understand this answer. Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be subject to them. As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and age, and in divine and human favor.

The Nativity of our Lord; Christmas Day

Date: December 25, 2009

First Reading (Isaiah 52: 7-10)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who herald peace and happiness, who proclaim salvation and announce to Zion: "Your God is king!" Together your watchmen raise their voices in praise and song; they see the Lord's face to face returning to Zion. Break into shouts of joy, O ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord consoles his people and redeems Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm in the eyes of the nations; all the ends of the earth, in alarm, will witness God's salvation.

Second Reading (Hebrews 1: 1-6)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and sisters: God has spoken in the past to our ancestors through the prophets, in many different ways, although never completely; but in our times he has spoken definitively to us through his Son. He is the one God appointed heir of all things, since through him he unfolded the stages of the world. He is the radiance of God's Glory and bears the stamp of God's hidden being, so that his powerful word upholds the universe. And after taking away sin, he took his place at the right hand of the divine Majesty in heaven. So he is now far superior to angels just as the name he received sets him apart from them. To what angel did God state: You are my son, I have begotten you today? and to what the angel did he promise: I shall be a father to him and he will be a son to me? On sending his first-born to the world, God states: Let all the angels adore him.

Gospel (John 1: 1-18)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
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 were made through him and without him nothing came to be. Whatever has come to be, found life in him, life which for humans was also light. Light that shines in the dark: light that darkness could not overcome. A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light but a witness to introduce the Light. For the Light was coming into the world, the true Light that enlightens everyone. He was already in the world and through him the world was made, the very world that did not know him. He came to his own, yet his own people did not receive him; but all who have received him he empowers to become children of God for they believe in his Name. These are born, but without seed or carnal desire or will of man: they are born of God. And the Word was made flesh; he had his tent pitched among us, and we have seen his Glory, the Glory of the only Son coming from the Father: fullness of truth and loving-kindness. John bore witness to him openly, stating: This is the one who comes after me, but he is already ahead of me for he was before me. From his fullness we have all received favor upon favor. For God had given us the Law through Moses, but Truth and Loving-kindness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God-the-Only-Son made him known: the one who is in and with the Father.

The Nativity of our Lord; Christmas Eve

Date: December 24, 2009

First Reading (Isaiah 9: 1-6)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.
The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. A light has dawned on those who live in the land of the shadow of death. You have enlarged the nation; you have increased their joy. They rejoice before you, as people rejoice at harvest time as they rejoice in dividing the spoil. For the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressors, you have broken it as on the day of Midian. Every warrior's boot that tramped in war, every cloak rolled in blood, will be thrown out for burning, and will serve as fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; the royal ornament is laid upon his shoulder, and his name is proclaimed; "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace." To the increase of his powerful rule in peace, there will be no end. Vast will be his dominion, he will reign on David's throne and over all his kingdom, to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time onward and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Second Reading (Titus 2: 11-14)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to Titus.
Beloved: For God Savior has revealed his loving plan to all, teaching us to reject an irreligious way of life and worldly greed, and to live in this world as responsible people, upright and serving God, while we await our blessed hope – the glorious manifestation of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus. He gave himself for us, to redeem us from every evil and to purify a people he wanted to be his own and dedicated to what is good.

Gospel (Luke 2: 1-14)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
At that time the emperor, Caesar Augustus, issued a decree for a census of the whole empire to be taken. This first census was taken while Quirinus was governor of Syria. Everyone had to be registered in his own town. So everyone set out for his own city: Joseph too set out from Nazareth of Galilee. As he belonged to the family of David, being a descendant of his, he went to Judea to David's town of Bethlehem to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was with her child. They were in Bethlehem when the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger, because there was no place for them in the living room. There were shepherds camping in the countryside, taking turns to watch over their flocks by night. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, with the Glory of the Lord shining around them. As they were terrified, the angel stated to them, "Do not be afraid; I am here to give you good news, great joy for all the people. Today a Savior has been born to you in David's town; he is the Messiah and the Lord. Let this be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Suddenly, the angel was surrounded by many more heavenly spirits, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth for God is blessing humankind."

4th Sunday of Advent

Date: December 20, 2009

First Reading (Micah 5: 1–5a)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Micah.
You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, so small that you are hardly named among the clans of Judah, from you shall I raise the one who is to rule over Israel. For he comes from from of old, from the ancient times. Yahweh, therefore, will abandon Israel until such time as she who is to give birth has given birth. Then the rest of his deported brothers will return to the people of Israel. He will stand and shepherd his flock with the strength of the Lord, in the glorious Name of the Lord, his God. They will live safely while he wins renown to the ends of the earth. He shall become peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and sets foot on our territory, we will raise against him not one but seven shepherds, eight warlords. They will rule Assyria with the sword and Babylonia with the bared blade.

Second Reading (Hebrews 10: 5–10)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
When you enter the world, Christ states: You did not desire sacrifice and offering; you were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said: "Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. I will do your will, O God." First he says, "Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire nor were you pleased with them - although they were acquired by the Law. Then he says: Here I am to do your will. This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new. Now, by this will of God, we are sanctified at this once by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ.

Gospel (Luke 1: 39–45)
Mary set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit and giving a loud cry, she stated, "You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within my suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!"

3rd Sunday of Advent

Date: December 13, 2009

First Reading (Zephaniah 3: 14–18)
A reading from the book of Zephaniah.
Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O people of Israel! Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away. The Lord, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune. On that day they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands tremble, for the Lord your God is within you, Yahweh, saving warrior. He will jump for joy on seeing you, for he has revived his love. For you he will cry out with joy, as you do in the days of the Feast. I will drive away the evil I warned you about, and you will no longer be shamed.

Second Reading (Philippians 4: 4–7)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians.
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: rejoice and may everyone experience your gentle and understanding heart. The Lord is near: do not be anxious about anything. In everything resort to prayer and supplication together with thanksgiving and bring your requests before God. Then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.

Gospel (Luke 3: 10–18)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
The people asked John, "What are we supposed to do?" John answered, "If you have two coats, give one to the person who has none; and if you have food, do the same." Even tax collectors came to be baptized and asked John, "Master, what should we do?" John replied to them, "Collect no more than your fixed rate." People serving as soldiers asked John as well, "What about us? What should we do?" And he answered, "Do not take anything by force or threaten the people by denouncing them falsely. Be content with your pay." The people were wondering about John's identity. "Could he be the Messiah?" Then John answered them, "I baptize you with water, but the one who is coming will do much more: he will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire. As for me, I am not worthy to untie his sandal. He comes with a winnowing fan to clear his threshing floor and gather the grain into his barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never extinguishes." With these and many other words, John announced the Good News to the people.

2nd Sunday of Advent

Date: December 6, 2009

First Reading (Baruch 5: 1–9)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Baruch.
Jerusalem, put off your garment of mourning and unhappiness, put on the splendor and glory of God forever. Wrap yourself in the mantle of holiness that comes from God, put on your head the crown of glory of the Eternal One. For God will show your splendor to every being under Heaven. He will call your name forever, "Peace in Justice" and "Glory in the Fear of the Lord." Rise up, Jerusalem, stand on the heights. Look towards the East and see your children gathered together from the setting of the sun to its rising, by the voice of the Holy One, rejoicing because God has remembered them. They left you on foot, taken away by the enemy. God will lead them back, carried gloriously like royal princes. For God has resolved to bring low every high mountain and the everlasting hills, to fill up the valleys and level out the ground, in order that Israel may walk in safety under the Glory of God. Even the forests and the fragrant trees will give shade to Israel at God's command. For God will lead Israel with joy by the light of his Glory, escorting them with his mercy and justice.

Second Reading (Philippians 1: 4–6 and 8–11)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians.
We, Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ pray for God, and we pray with joy. I cannot forget you shared with me in the service of the Gospel, from the first day until now. Since God began such a good work in you, I am certain that he will complete it in the day of Christ Jesus. God knows that I love you dearly with the love of Jesus Christ, and in my prayers I ask that your love may lead you each day to a deeper knowledge and clearer discernment, that you may have good criteria for everything. So you may be pure of heart and come blameless to the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of holiness which comes through Christ Jesus, for the glory and praise of God.

Gospel (Luke 3: 1–6)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
It was the fifteenth year of the rule of the Emperor Tiberious; Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod ruled over Galilee, his brother Philip ruled over the country of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruled over Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the High Priests at that time when the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah in the desert. John proclaimed a baptism for repentant people to acquire forgiveness of sins and he went through the whole country bordering the Jordan Rover. It was just as is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah: listen to this voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight. The valleys will be filled and the mountains and hills made low. Everything crooked will be made straight and the rough paths smooth; and every mortal will see the salvation of God.