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.
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.
Responsorial Psalm (Isiah Chapter 12) (Verses 2-6)
ReplyDeleteThe response is: Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
He is the God of my salvation; in him I trust and am not afraid, the Lord is my strength: him I will praise, the one who saved me. You will drawy water with joy from the very fountain of salvation.
Then you will say: "Praise to the Lord, break into songs of joy for him, proclaim his marvellous deeds among the nations and exalt his Name."
Sing to the Lord: wonders he has done let these be known all over the earth. Sing for joy, O people of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
In the season of Advent, the Gloria is omitted.
ReplyDeleteThe theme for the 3rd Sunday of Advent is to rejoice, for salvation is near.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah states in Chapter 35: 2-4: "Covered with flowers, the desert sings and shouts with joy, the magnificence of Carmel and Sharon. They, my people, see the glory of Yahweh, the majesty of our God. Give vigor to weary hands and strength to enfeebled knees. Say to those who are afraid: 'Have courage, do not fear. See, your God comes, demanding justice. He is the God who rewards, the God who comes to save you.'"
Priest: Father, at the height of our Advent walk, we relight the candle of hope and peace, and we light a candle of joy. Grant us the courage to experience joy in hope of the Savior's coming: joy in the face of sorrow, joy in the face of uncertainty. (Amen)
The father of the chosen family will light the two purple candles and the rose candle of the Advent Wreath. During that time, the choir will sing, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
This is a prayer led by the father or a male member of the family:
In times of loneliness, darkness and uncertainty - O come, Prince of joy and hope. In times of misunderstanding, anger and resentment - O come, Prince of Peace and Love. (Amen)
This is a prayer led by the mother or a female member of the family:
O God, You have planned our salvation even before we were born and your faithfulness is true. You send your Son to suffer for our sake so that we may be saved from sin. We welcome Him, the Lord of Salvation. (Amen)
This is a prayer led by one of the children:
Dear God, John is your messenger - the man who is to prepare the road for our Savior. Grant that as we travel the road he teaches, we too may be like him, messengers that can guide others to Your path of peace. (Amen)
Priest: Heavenly Father, let love, respect and goodness reign in our hearts and never let the evil one and worldly desires snatch away our happiness and the reward of living forever with You. Instead, make us stand firm by Your word, faithful and loyal to Your instructions. Make us holy in every way and keep our whole being faultless at the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. (Amen)
Verse
ReplyDeleteO Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel! Shall come to three o Israel!
For the 3rd Sunday of Advent, priests and ministers may wear pink vestments.
ReplyDelete