Daily Reading for Sunday, December 17th, 2023

Daily Reading for Sunday December 17, 2023

Reading 1, Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
Responsorial Psalm, Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
Gospel, John 1:6-8, 19-28
Reading 2, First Thessalonians 5:16-24
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Reading 1, Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11

¹ The spirit of Lord Yahweh is on me for Yahweh has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the news to the afflicted, to soothe the broken-hearted,

² to proclaim liberty to captives, release to those in prison, to proclaim a year of favour from Yahweh and a day of vengeance for our God, to comfort all who mourn

¹⁰ I exult for joy in Yahweh, my soul rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me in garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in a cloak of saving justice, like a bridegroom wearing his garland, like a bride adorned in her jewels.

¹¹ For as the earth sends up its shoots and a garden makes seeds sprout, so Lord Yahweh makes saving justice and praise spring up in the sight of all nations.

Responsorial Psalm, Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54

⁴⁶ And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;

⁴⁸ because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant. Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed,

⁴⁹ for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name,

⁵⁰ and his faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him.

⁵³ He has filled the starving with good things, sent the rich away empty.

⁵⁴ He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his faithful love

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Gospel, John 1:6-8, 19-28

⁶ A man came, sent by God. His name was John.

⁷ He came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, so that everyone might believe through him.

⁸ He was not the light, he was to bear witness to the light.

¹⁹ This was the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are you?'

²⁰ He declared, he did not deny but declared, 'I am not the Christ.'

²¹ So they asked, 'Then are you Elijah?' He replied, 'I am not.' 'Are you the Prophet?' He answered, 'No.'

²² So they said to him, 'Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?'

²³ So he said, 'I am, as Isaiah prophesied: A voice of one that cries in the desert: Prepare a way for the Lord. Make his paths straight!'

²⁴ Now those who had been sent were Pharisees,

²⁵ and they put this question to him, 'Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the Prophet?'

²⁶ John answered them, 'I baptise with water; but standing among you -- unknown to you-

²⁷ is the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandal.'

²⁸ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.

Reading 2, First Thessalonians 5:16-24

¹⁶ Always be joyful;

¹⁷ pray constantly;

¹⁸ and for all things give thanks; this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not stifle the Spirit

²⁰ or despise the gift of prophecy with contempt;

²¹ test everything and hold on to what is good

²² and shun every form of evil.

²³ May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may your spirit, life and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁴ He who has called you is trustworthy and will carry it out.

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