4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: January 31, 2016

First Reading (Jeremiah 1: 4–5 and 17–19)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
The word of the Lord came to me, "Even before I formed you in the womb I have known you; even before you were born I had set you apart, and appointed you a prophet to the nations! But you, get ready for action; stand up and say to them all that I command you. Be not scared of them or I will scare you in their presence! See, I will make you a fortified city, a pillar of iron with walls of bronze, against all the nations, against the kings and princes of Judah, against the priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but shall not over come you, for I am with you to rescue you — it is the Lord who speaks."

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:13)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: Be that as it may, set your hearts on the most precious gifts, and I will show you a much better way. If I could speak all the human and angelic tongues, but had no love, I would only be sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. If I had prophecy, knowing secret things with all kinds of knowledge, and had faith great enough to remove mountains, but had no love, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I had to the poor, and even gave up my own body, but only to receive praise and not through love, it would be of no value to me; I acquire nothing. Love is patient, kind, without envy. It is not boastful or arrogant. It is not ill-mannered nor does it seek its own interest. Love overcomes anger and forgets offenses. It does not take delight in wrong, but rejoices in truth. Love excuses everything, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love will never end. Prophecies may cease, tongues be silent and knowledge disappear. For knowledge grasps something of the truth and prophecy as well. And when what is perfect comes, everything imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I thought and reasoned like a child, but when I grew up, I gave up childish ways. Likewise, at present we see dimly as in a faulty mirror, but then it shall be face to face. Now we know in part, but then I will know as I am known. Now we have faith, hope, and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.

Gospel (Luke: 4: 21–30)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Jesus stated to the people in the synagogue, "Today, these prophetic words come true even as you listen." All agreed with him and were lost in wonder, while he kept on speak of the grace of God. Nevertheless they asked, "Who is this but Joseph's son?" So, Jesus stated, "Doubtless you will quote me the saying: 'Doctor, heal yourself! Do here in your town what they say you did in Capernaum.'" Jesus added, "No prophet is honored in his own country. Truly, I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens withheld rain for three years and six months and a great famine came over the whole land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow of Zarephath, in the country of Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha, the prophet, and no one was healed except Naaman, the Syrian." On hearing these words, the whole assembly became indignant. They rose up and brought him out of the town, to the edge of the hill on which Nazareth is built, intending to throw him down the cliff. However, Jesus passed through their midst and went his way.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: January 24, 2016

First Reading (Nehemiah 8: 2–4a, 5–6, and 8–10)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Nehemiah.
Ezra brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all the children who could understand what was being read. It was the first day of the seventh month. Ezra read the book before all of them from early morning until midday in the square facing the Water Gate; and all who heard were attentive to the Book of the Law. Ezra, the teacher of the law, stood on a wooden platform built for that occasion. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was in a higher place; and when he opened it, all the people stood. Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted up their hands and answered, "Amen! Amen!" And they bowed their hands to the ground. Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God, clarifying and interpreting the meaning, so that everyone might understand what they were hearing. Then Ezra, the teacher of the Law, stated to the people, "This day is dedicated to the Lord, your God, so do not be sad or weep." He stated this because all wept when they heard the reading of the Law. Then he stated to them, "Go and eat rich foods, drink sweet wine and share with him who has nothing prepared. This day is dedicated to the Lord, so do not be sad. The joy of the Lord is our strength."

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12: 12–30)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: As the body is one, having many members, and all the members, while being many, form one body, so it is with Christ. All of us, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, have been baptized in one Spirit to form one body and all of us have been given to drink from the one Spirit. The body has not just one member, but many. If the foot should say, "I do not belong to the body for I am not a hand," it would be wrong: it is part of the body. Even though the ear says, "I do not belong to the body for I am not an eye," it is part of the body. If all the body were eye, how would we hear? And if all the body were ear, how would we smell? God has arranged all the members, placing each part of the body as he pleased. If all were the same part where would the body be? But there are many members and one body. The eye cannot tell the hand, "I do not need you," nor the head tell the feet, "I do not need you." Still more, the parts of our body that we most need are those that seem to be the weakest; the parts that we consider lower are treated with much care, and we cover them with more modesty because they are less presentable, whereas the others do not need such attention. God himself arranged the body in this way, giving more honor to those parts that need it, so that the body may not be divided, but rather each member many care for the others. When one suffers, all of them suffer, and when one receives honor, all rejoice together. Now, you are the body of Christ and each of you individually is a member of it. So God has appointed us in the Church. First apostles, second prophets, third teachers. Then come miracles, then the gift of healing, material help, administration in the Church and the gift of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Can all perform miracles, or cure the sick, or speak in tongues, or explain what was stated in tongues?

Gospel (Luke 1: 1–4 and 4: 14–21)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Several people have set themselves to relate the events that have taken place among us, as they were told by the first witnesses who later became ministers of the Word. After I myself had carefully gone over the whole story from the beginning, it seemed right for me to give you, Theophilus, an orderly account, so that your Excellency may know the truth of all you have been taught. Jesus acted with power of the Spirit, and on his returned to Galilee the news about him spread throughout all that territory. He began teaching in the synagogue of the Jews and everyone praised him. When Jesus came to Nazareth where he had been brought up, he entered the synagogue on the sabbath as he usually did. He stood up to read and they handed him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus then unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and new sight to the blind; to free the oppressed and announce the Lord's year of mercy." Jesus then rolled up the scroll, gave it to the attendant and sat down, while the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he stated to them, "Today these prophetic words come true even as you listen."

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: January 17, 2016

First Reading (Isaiah 62: 1–5)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.
For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, for Jerusalem I will not keep silent, until her holiness shines like the dawn and her salvation flames like a burning torch. The nations will see your holiness and all the kings your glory. You will be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will reveal. You will be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will you be named Forsaken; no longer will your land be called Abandoned; but you will be called My Delight and your land Espoused. For the Lord delights in you and will make your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, so will your builder marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you.

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12: 4–11)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: There are a diversity of gifts, but the Spirit is the same. There is diversity of ministries, but the Lord is the same. There is diversity of works, but the same God works in all. The Spirit reveals his presence in each one with a gift which is also a service. One is to speak with wisdom, through the Spirit. Another teaches according to the same Spirit. To another is given faith, in which the Spirit acts; to another the gift of healing, and it is the same Spirit. Another works miracles, another is a prophet, another recognizes what comes from the good or evil spirit; another speaks in tongues, and still another interprets what has been said in tongues. And all of this is the work of the one and only Spirit, who gives to each one as he so desires.

Gospel (John 2: 1–11)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus was also invited to the wedding with his disciples. When all the wine provided for the celebration had been served and they had run out of wine, the mother of Jesus stated to him, "They have no wine." Jesus replied, "Woman, your thoughts are not mine! My hour has not yet come." However his mother stated to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Nearby were six stone water jars meant for the ritual washing as practiced by the Jews; each jar could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus stated to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them to the brim. Then Jesus requested, "Now draw some out and take it to the steward." So they did. The steward tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing from where it had come; for only the servants who had drawn the water knew. So, he called the bridegroom to tell him, "Everyone serves the best wine first and when people have drunk enough, he serves that which is ordinary. Instead you have kept the best wine until the end." This miraculous sign was the first, and Jesus performed it at Cana in Galilee. In this way he let his Glory appear and his disciples believed in him.

The Baptism of the Lord

Date: January 10, 2016

Readings for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
First Reading (Isaiah 42: 1–4 and 6–7)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. I have put my spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He does not shout or raise his voice; proclamations are not hear in the streets. A broken reed he will not crush, nor will he snuff out the light of the wavering wick. He will make justice appear in truth. He will not waver or be broken until he has established justice on earth; the islands are waiting for his law. I, the Lord, have called you for the sake of justice; I will hold your hand to make you firm; I will make you as a covenant to the people, and as a light to the nations, to open eyes that do not see, to free captives from prison, to bring out to light those who sit in darkness.

Second Reading (Acts 10: 34–38)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Peter then spoke to them, "Truly, I realize that God does not show partiality, but in all nations he listens to everyone who fears God and does good. And this is the message he has sent to the children of Israel, the good news of peace he has proclaimed through Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all. No doubt you have heard of the event that occurred throughout the whole country of the Jews, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism John preached. You know how God anointed Jesus the Nazarean with Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all who were under the devil's power, because God was with him."

Gospel (Luke 3: 15–16 and 21–22)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
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." Now, with all the people who came to be baptized, Jesus too was baptized. Then, while he was praying, the heavens opened: the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the bodily form of a dove and a voice from heaven was heard, "You are my Son, this day I have begotten you."

Readings for Year C
First Reading (Isaiah 40: 1–5 and 9–11)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Be comforted, my people, be strengthened, says your God. Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her that her time of bondage is at an end, that her guilt has been paid for, that from the hand of the Lord, she has received double punishment for all her iniquity. A voice cries, "In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up; every mountain and hill will be laid low. The stumbling blocks shall become level and the rugged places smooth. The glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mortals together will see it; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion, lift up your voices with strength, fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem and announce to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes your God with might; his strong arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and here before him is his booty. Like a shepherd he tends his flock: he gathers the lambs in his arms, he carries them in his bosom, gently leading those that are with young.

Second Reading (Titus 2: 11–14 and 3: 4–7)
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 persons, upright and serving God, while we await our blessed hope — the glorious manifestation of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. 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. But God our Savior revealed his eminent goodness and love for humankind and saved us, not because of good deeds we may have done but for the sake of his own mercy. He gave us rebirth in baptism and renewed us by the Holy Spirit poured over us through Christ Jesus our Savior. By the grace of God we were made holy and now we hope for everlasting life, our inheritance.

Gospel (Luke 3: 15–16 and 21–22)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
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." Now, with all the people who came to be baptized, Jesus too was baptized. Then, while he was praying, the heavens opened: the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the bodily form of a dove and a voice from heaven was heard, "You are my Son, this day I have begotten you."

The Epiphany of the Lord

Date: January 3, 2016

First reading (Isaiah 60: 1–6)
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.
Arise and shine, Jerusalem, for your light has come. The Glory of the Lord rises upon you. Night still covers the earth and gloomy clouds veil the peoples, but the Lord now rises and over you his glory appears. Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes round about and see: they are all gathered and are coming to you, your sons from afar, your daughters tenderly carried. This sight will make your face radiant, your heart throbbing and full; the riches of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you. A flood of camels will cover you, caravans from Midian and Ephah. Those from Sheba will come, bringing with them gold and incense, all singing in praise of the Lord.

Second reading (Ephesians 3: 2–3 and 5–6)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: You may have heard of the graces God bestowed on me for your sake. By a revelation he gave me the knowledge of his mysterious design, as I have explained in a few words. This mystery was not made known to past generations but only now, through revelations given to holy apostles and prophets. Now the non-Jewish people share the Inheritance; in Christ Jesus the non-Jews are incorporated and are to enjoy the Promise, for this is the Good News.

Gospel (Matthew 2: 1–12)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea, during the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem. They asked, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw the rising of his star in the east and have come to honor him." When Herod heard this, he was greatly disturbed and with him all of Jerusalem. He immediately called a meeting of all high-ranking priests and those who taught the people of God his Law, and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. "In the town of Bethlehem in Judea," they told him, "for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the clans of Judah, for from you will become a leader, the one who is to shepherd my people Israel." Then Herod surreptitiously called the wise men and asked them the precise time the star appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem with the instruction, "Go and get precise information about the child. As soon as you have located him, report to me, so that I too may go and honor him." After the meeting with the king, they set out. The star that they had seen in the East went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. The wise men were overjoyed on seeing the star again. They went into the house and when they saw the child with Mary his mother, they knelt and worshiped him. They opened their bags and offered him their gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. In a dream they were warned not to return to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way.

Solemnity of Mary; the Holy Mother of God

Date: January 1, 2016

First Reading (Numbers 6: 22–27)
A reading from the book of Numbers.
The Lord spoke to Moses stating, "Speak to Aaron and his sons and state to them: This is how you shall bless the people of Israel; you shall say: May the Lord bless you and keep you! May the Lord let his face shine on you, and be gracious to you! May the Lord look kindly on you, and give you his peace! In that way shall they put my name on the people of Israel and I will bless them."

Second Reading (Galatians 4: 4–7)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians.
Brothers and sisters: When the fullness of time came, God sent his Son. He came born of woman and subject to the Law, in order to redeem the subjects of the Law, that we may be given our full rights of sons and daughters of God. And because you are sons, God has sent into your hearts the Spirit of his which cries out: Abba! that is, Father! You yourself are no longer a slave but a son or daughter, and yours is the inheritance by God's grace.

Gospel (Luke 2: 16–21)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
The shepherds came hurriedly to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph with the baby lying in the manger. On seeing this they related what they had been told about the child, and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds. As for Mary, she treasured all these messages and continually pondered over them. The shepherds then returned giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels had told them. On the eighth day the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.