4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: January 29, 2017

First Reading (Zephaniah 2:3 – 3:12–13) 
A reading from the book of the prophet Zephaniah. 
Seek the Lord, all you poor of the land who fulfill his commands, do justice and are meek, and perhaps you will find refuge on the day the Lord comes to judge. I will leave within you a poor and meek people who seek refuge in God. The remnant of Israel will not act unjustly nor will they speak falsely, nor will deceitful words be found in their mouths. They will eat and rest with none to threaten them. 

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 1: 26–31)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. 
Brothers and sisters, look and see whom God has called. Few among you can be stated to be cultured or wealthy, and few belong to noble families. Yet God has chosen what the world considers foolish, to shame the wise; he has chosen what the world considers weak to shame the strong. God has chosen common and unimportant people, making use of what is nothing to nullify the things that are, so that no mortal may boast before God. But, by God's grace you are in Christ Jesus, who has become our wisdom from God, and who makes us just and holy and free. Scripture states: Let the one who boasts boast of the Lord. 

Gospel (Matthew 5: 1–12)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. 
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them: "Fortunate are those who have the spirit of the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Fortunate are the gentle, they shall possess the land. Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. Fortunate are those with a pure heart, for they shall see God. Fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God. Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God. This is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you."

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: January 22, 2017

First Reading (Isaiah 8:23 – 9:3)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 
Yet, where there was but anguish, darkness will disappear. He has just afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the future he will confer glory on the way of the sea, on the land beyond the Jordan – the pagans' Galilee. 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. 

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 1: 10–13 and 17) 
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. 
I beg of you, brothers and sisters, in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord, to agree among yourselves and do away with divisions; please be perfectly united, with one mind and one judgment. For I heard from people of Cloe's house about your rivalries. What I mean is this: some state, "I am for Paul," and others: "I am for Apollo," or "I am for Peter," or "I am for Christ." Is Christ divided or have I, Paul, been crucified for you? Have you been baptized in the name of Paul? For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim his Gospel. And not with beautiful, eloquent words! That would be like getting rid of the cross of Christ. 

Gospel (Matthew 4: 12–23) 
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. 
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to settle down in Capernaum, a town by the lake of Galilee, at the border of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the word of the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali crossed by the Road of the Sea, and you who live by the Jordan, Galilee, land of pagans, listen: The people who lived in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in the land of the shadow of death, a light has shone. From that time on Jesus began to proclaim his message, "Change your ways: the kingdom of heaven is near." As Jesus walked by the lake of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. He stated to them, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed him. He went on from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them. At once they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus went around all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and curing all kinds of sickness and disease among the people.

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: January 15, 2017

First Reading (Isaiah 49: 3 and 5–6) 
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 
The Lord stated to me, "You are Israel, my servant, through you I will be known." And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him. He stated: "It is not enough that you be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob, to bring back the remnant of Israel. I will make you the light of the nations, that my salvation will reach to the ends of the earth." 

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 1: 1–3)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. 
From Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and from Sosthenes, our brother, to God's Church which is in Corinth; to you whom God has sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with those who everywhere call upon your name of our Lord Christ Jesus, their Lord and ours. Receive grace and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Gospel (John 1: 29–34)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John. 
The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and stated, "There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. It is he of whom I stated: A man comes after me who is already ahead of me, for he was before me. I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing to prepare for him, so that he might be revealed in Israel." And John also gave this testimony, "I saw the Spirit coming down on him like a dove from heaven and resting on him. I myself did not know him but God who sent me to baptize told me: 'You will see the Spirit coming down and resting on the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' Yes, I have seen! and I declare that this is the Chosen One of God.

The Baptism of the Lord

Date: January 9, 2017

Reading (Isaiah 42: 1–4 and 6–7) (Option 1)
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 heard 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.

Reading (Acts 10: 34–38) (Option 2)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Peter then spoke to the people gathered in the house of Cornelius, stating: "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 in the devil's power because God was with him."

Gospel (Matthew 3: 13–17)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent him, and stated, "How is it you come to me; I should be baptized by you!" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be like that for now that we may fulfill the right order." John concurred. As soon as he was baptized, Jesus came up from the water. At once, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God come down like a dove and rest upon him. At the same time a voice from heaven was heard, "This is my Son, the Beloved; he is my Chosen One."

The Epiphany of the Lord

Date: January 8, 2017

First reading (Isaiah 60: 1–6)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Arise, shine, 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 come 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, bring 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 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 his 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 come 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 found 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 when they saw the child with Mary his mother, they knelt and worshiped him. They opened their bags and offered him their gifts of god, incense and myrrh. In a dream they were warned not to go back to Herod, so they returned to their home country by another way.

Solemnity of Mary; the Holy Mother of God

Date: January 1, 2017

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.