Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Date: November 25, 2012

First Reading (Daniel 7: 13–14)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Daniel.
Daniel states, "I continued watching the nocturnal vision: One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into his presence. Dominion, honor, and kingship were given to him, and all the people and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed."

Second Reading (Revelation 1: 5–8)
A reading from the book of Revelation.
From Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has washed away our sins with his own blood, making us a kingdom and priests for God his Father, to him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. See he comes with the clouds and everyone will see him, even those who pierced him; on his account all the nations of the earth will beat his breast. Yes, it will be so. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, he who is, who was and who is to come: the Master of the universe.

Gospel (John 18: 33b–37)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Pilate called Jesus and asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "Does this word come from your own accord, or did you hear it from others?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My kingship does not come from this world. If I were a king of this world, my guards would have fought to save me from being handed over to the Jews. But my kingship is not from here." Pilate asked him, "So you are a king, then?" Jesus replied, "Just as you say, I am a king. For this I was born and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth can hear my voice."

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: November 18, 2012

First Reading (Daniel 12: 1-3)

A reading from the book of the prophet Daniel.

At that time, Michael will rise, the Great Commander who defends your people. It shall be a time of anguish as never before since the nations first existed until this very day. Then all those whose names are written in the Book will be saved. Many of those who sleep in the Region of the Dust will awake, some to everlasting life but others to eternal horror and shame. Those who acquired knowledge will shine like the brilliance of the firmament; those who taught people to be just will shine like the stars for all eternity.

Second Reading (Hebrews 10: 11-14 and 18)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters: So, whereas every priest stands daily by the altar offering repeatedly the same sacrifices that can never take away sins, Christ has offered for all times a single sacrifice for sins and has taken his seat at the right hand of God, waiting until God puts his enemies as a footstool under his feet. By a single sacrifice he has brought those who are sanctified to what is perfect forever. So, if sins are forgiven, there is no longer need of any sacrifice for sin.

Gospel (Mark 13: 24-32)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Jesus stated this to his disciples: "Later on, in those days after that disastrous time, the sun will grow dark, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall out of the sky and the whole universe will be shaken. Then people will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send the angels to gather his chosen people from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky. Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its branches become tender and it begins to sprout leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the time is near, even at the door. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all this has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But, regarding that Day and that Hour, no one knows when it will come, not even the angels, not even the Son, but only the Father."

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: November 11, 2012

First Reading (1 Kings 17: 10–16)
A reading from the first book of Kings.
Elijah went to Zarephath. On reaching the gate of the town, he saw a widow gathering sticks. He called to her and stated, "Bring me a little water in a vessel that I may drink." As she was going to bring it, he called after her and stated, "Bring me also a piece of bread." But she answered, "As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread left but only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am just now gathering some sticks so that I may go in and prepare something for myself and my son to eat — and die." Elijah then stated to her, "Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have stated, but first make me a little cake of it and bring it me; then make some for yourself and your son. For this is the word of the Lord, the God of Israel. 'The jar of meal shall not be emptied nor shall the jug of oil fail, until the day when the lord sends rain to the earth." So she went and did as Elijah told her; and she had food for herself, Elijah and her son from that day on. The jar of flour was not emptied nor did the jug of oil fail, in accordance with what the Lord had stated through Elijah.

Second Reading (Hebrews 9: 24–28)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.
Brothers and sisters: Christ did not enter some sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself. He is now in the presence of God on our behalf. He had not to offer himself many times, as the High Priest does: he who may return every year, because the blood is not his own. Otherwise he would have suffered many times from the creation of the world. But no; he manifested himself only now at the end of the ages, to take away sin by sacrifice, and as humans die only once and afterwards are judged, in the same way Christ sacrificed himself once to take away the sins of the multitude. There will be no further question of sin when he comes again to save those waiting for him.

Gospel (Mark 12: 38–44)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
While Jesus was teaching, he additionally stated to them, "Beware of those teachers of the Law who enjoy walking around in long robes and being greeted in the marketplace, and who like to occupy reserved seats in the synagogues and the first places at feasts. They even devour the widow's and the orphan's goods while marking a show of long prayers. How severe a sentence they will receive!" Jesus then sat down opposite the Temple treasury and watched the people dropping money into the treasury box; many rich people donated large offerings. However, a poor widow also came and drop in two small coins. When Jesus observed this, he called his disciples and announced to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those who gave offerings. For all of them gave from their plenty, but she gave from her poverty and put in everything she had, her very living."

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: November 4, 2012

First Reading (Deuteronomy 6: 2-6)

A reading from the book of Deuteronomy.

Fear the Lord, observe his commandments all the days of your life and his norms that I teach you today. So also for your children and your children's children that they may live long. Listen, then, Israel, observe these commandments and put them into practice. If you do this, you will be well and you will multiply in this land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. Listen, Israel: the Lord, our God, is One God. And you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. Engrave on your heart the commandments that I pass on to you today.

Second Reading (Hebrews 7: 23-28)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Hebrews.

Brothers and sisters: The former priests were many since, as mortal men, they could not remain in office. But Jesus remains forever and the priesthood shall not be taken from him. Consequently he is able to save for all time those who approach God through him. He always lives to intercede on their behalf. It was fitting that our High Priest be holy, undefiled, set apart from sinners and exalted above the heavens; a priest who does not first need to offer sacrifice for himself before offering for the sins of the people, as high priests do. He offered himself in sacrifice once and for all. And whereas the Law elected weak men as high priests, now, after the Law, the word of God with an oath appointed the Son, made perfect forever.

Gospel (Mark 12: 28-34)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

A teacher of the Law had been listening to this discussion and admired how Jesus answered them. So he came up and asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" Jesus answered, "The first is: Hear, Israel! The Lord, our God, is One Lord; and you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. And after this comes another one: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these two." The teacher of the Law stated to him, "Well spoken, Master; you are right when you say that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all our heart, with all our understanding and with all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves is more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice." Jesus approved this answer and stated, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.