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Last Supper, Juan de Juanes

wednesday, fifth day in the octave of christmas

(Year C)

…Give us this day our daily bread.”

cf. Gospel of Luke 11:3

daily mass readings

Lectionary: 202

Reading I

Beloved:
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus 
is to keep his commandments. 
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him. 
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.

Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. 
The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining. 
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. 
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. 
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Responsorial Psalm

R.    (11a)  Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
    sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name. 
R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
    among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
    praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. 
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”

Saint Jerome

daily bible reflection

"Can You Walk The Walk? - Wednesday, The Fifth Day In The Octave of Christmas" from Letters From Home by St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. Released: 2021. Genre: Podcast.


Audio reflection on the daily Mass readings from the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology, Letters from Home: Daily Bible Reflections.

 

prayer

Let us pray.

Consecration to the Holy Family

Holy Family, we consecrate ourselves and our family to you.

May we be completely united in a love that is lasting, faithful, and open to the gift of new life.

Help us to grow in virtue, to forgive one another from our hearts, and to live in peace all our days.

Keep us strong in faith, persevering in prayer, diligent in our work, and generous toward those in need.

May our home, O Holy Family, truly become a domestic church where we reflect your example in our daily life.

Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph pray for us!

An excerpt of a prayer composed by Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, Supreme Chaplain, Knights of Columbus.

 

Holy Family, pray for us.

 

Be not afraid!  And may the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones today and always.  Holy Family, pray for us.  Amen.

The Heavenly and Earthly Trinities (c. 1675-82) by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617 – 1682)
 
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