Date: December 12, 2010
First Reading (Isaiah 35: 1–6a and 10)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Let the wilderness and the arid land rejoice, the desert be glad and blossom. Covered with flowers, it sings and shouts with joy, adorned with the splendor of Lebanon, the magnificence of Carmel and Sharon. They, my people, see the glory of the Lord, 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." Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unsealed. Then will the lame leap as a hart and the tongue of the dumb sing and shout. For the ransomed of the Lord will return: with everlasting joy upon their heads, they will come to Zion singing, gladness and joy marching with them, while sorrow and sighing flee away.
Second Reading (James 5: 7–10)
A reading from the letter of Saint James.
Be patient, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. See how the sower waits for the precious fruits of the earth, looking forward patiently to the autumn and spring rains. You also be patient and do not lose heart, because the Lord's coming is near. Beloved, do not fight among yourselves and you will not be judged. See, the judge is already at the door. Take for yourselves, as an example of patience, the suffering of the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name.
Gospel (Matthew 11: 2–11)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
When John the Baptist heard in prison about the activities of Christ, he sent a message by his disciples, asking him: "Are you the one who is to come or should we expect somebody else?" Jesus answered them, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life and good news is reaching the poor. And how fortunate is the one who does not take offense at me." As the messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "When you went out to the desert, what did you expect to see? A reed swept by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? People who wear fine clothes live in palaces. What did you actually go out to see? A prophet? Yes, indeed, and even more than a prophet. He is the man of whom Scripture states: I send my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way before you. I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
First Reading (Isaiah 35: 1–6a and 10)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Let the wilderness and the arid land rejoice, the desert be glad and blossom. Covered with flowers, it sings and shouts with joy, adorned with the splendor of Lebanon, the magnificence of Carmel and Sharon. They, my people, see the glory of the Lord, 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." Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unsealed. Then will the lame leap as a hart and the tongue of the dumb sing and shout. For the ransomed of the Lord will return: with everlasting joy upon their heads, they will come to Zion singing, gladness and joy marching with them, while sorrow and sighing flee away.
Second Reading (James 5: 7–10)
A reading from the letter of Saint James.
Be patient, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. See how the sower waits for the precious fruits of the earth, looking forward patiently to the autumn and spring rains. You also be patient and do not lose heart, because the Lord's coming is near. Beloved, do not fight among yourselves and you will not be judged. See, the judge is already at the door. Take for yourselves, as an example of patience, the suffering of the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name.
Gospel (Matthew 11: 2–11)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
When John the Baptist heard in prison about the activities of Christ, he sent a message by his disciples, asking him: "Are you the one who is to come or should we expect somebody else?" Jesus answered them, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life and good news is reaching the poor. And how fortunate is the one who does not take offense at me." As the messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "When you went out to the desert, what did you expect to see? A reed swept by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? People who wear fine clothes live in palaces. What did you actually go out to see? A prophet? Yes, indeed, and even more than a prophet. He is the man of whom Scripture states: I send my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way before you. I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 146) (Verses 6, 7, 8, 8c, 9, and 10)
ReplyDeleteThe response is: Lord, come and save us.
The Lord is forever faithful, he gives justice to the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free.
The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord straightens the bent. The Lord loves the virtuous. and the Lord protects the stranger.
The Lord sustains the widow and the orphan, but he brings to ruin the way of the wicked. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, from generation to generation. Alleluia!
The 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, "Open Our Eyes, Lord".
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)
In the season of Advent, the Gloria is omitted.
ReplyDeletePrimera Lectura (Isaías 35: 1–6a y 10)
ReplyDeleteUna lectura del libro del profeta Isaías.
Que se alegren el desierto y la tierra seca, que con flores se alegre la pradera. Que se llene de flores como junquillos, que salte y cante de contenta, pues le han regalado el esplendor del Líbano y el brillo del Carmelo y del Sarón. Ellos a su vez verán el esplendor de Yahvé, todo el brillo de nuestro Dios. Robustezcan las manos débiles y afirmen las rodillas que se doblan. Díganles a los que están asustados: “Calma, no tengan miedo, porque ya viene su Dios a vengarse, a darles a ellos su merecido; El mismo viene a salvarlos a ustedes.” Entonces los ojos de los ciegos se despegarán, y los oídos de los sordos se abrirán, los cojos saltarán como cabritos y la lengua de los mudos gritará de alegría. Por ahí regresarán los libertados por Yavé; llegarán a Sión dando gritos de alegría, y con una dicha eterna reflejada en sus rostros; la alegría y la felicidad los acompañarán y ya no tendrán más pena ni tristeza.
Salmo responsorial (Salmo 146) (Versículos 6–8, 8c y 9–10)
La respuesta es: Señor, ven y sálvanos.
• Él hizo el cielo y la tierra, el mar y todo lo que hay en ellos. El mantiene su fidelidad para siempre, hace justicia a los oprimidos y da pan a los hambrientos. El Señor libera a los cautivos.
• Hace justicia a los oprimidos y da pan a los hambrientos. El Señor libera a los cautivos, abre los ojos de los ciegos y endereza a los que están encorvados.
• El Señor ama a los justos, protege a los extranjeros y sustenta al huérfano y a la viuda, pero entorpece el camino de los malvados.
• El Señor reina eternamente, reina tu Dios, Sión, a lo largo de las generaciones. ¡Aleluya!
Segunda Lectura (Santiago 5: 7–10)
Una lectura de la carta de San Santiago.
Tengan paciencia, hermanos, hasta la venida del Señor. Miren cómo el sembrador cosecha los preciosos productos de la tierra, que ha aguardado desde las primeras lluvias hasta las tardías. Sean también ustedes pacientes y no se desanimen, porque la venida del Señor está cerca. Hermanos: no se peleen unos con otros, y así no serán juzgados; miren que el juez está a la puerta. Consideren, hermanos, lo que han sufrido los profetas que hablaron en nombre del Señor y tómenlos como modelo de paciencia.
Evangelio (Mateo 11: 2–11)
Una lectura del Evangelio Santo según San Mateo.
Juan, que estaba en la cárcel, oyó hablar de las obras de Cristo, por lo que envió a sus discípulos a preguntarle: “¿Eres tú el que ha de venir, o tenemos que esperar a otro?” Jesús les contestó: “Vayan y cuéntenle a Juan lo que ustedes están viendo y oyendo: los ciegos ven, los cojos andan, los leprosos quedan limpios, los sordos oyen, los muertos resucitan, y una Buena Nueva llega a los pobres. ¡Y dichoso aquél para quien yo no sea motivo de escándalo!” Una vez que se fueron los mensajeros, Jesús comenzó a hablar de Juan a la gente: “Cuando ustedes fueron al desierto, ¿qué iban a ver? ¿Una caña agitada por el viento? ¿Qué iban ustedes a ver? ¿Un hombre con ropas finas? Los que visten ropas finas viven en palacios. Entonces, ¿qué fueron a ver? ¿A un profeta? Eso sí y, créanme, más que un profeta. A éste se refiere el texto de la Escritura: Yo voy a enviar mi mensajero delante de ti, para que te preceda abriéndote el camino. Yo se lo digo: de entre los hijos de mujer no se ha manifestado uno más grande que Juan Bautista, y sin embargo el más pequeño en el Reino de los Cielos es más que él.”
For the 3rd Sunday of Advent, priests and ministers may wear pink vestments.
ReplyDelete