Third Sunday of Advent

Invitation

May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?

This invitation wants to share with You the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, no one excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day

Opening word

On the third Sunday of Advent
we turn our attention to Welfare’s campaign.
This year’s theme is: ‘Those who are poor must make choices’.
People in poverty have to make impossible choices every day:
between vegetables and medicine,
between rent and new braces,
between the psychologist and the electricity bill.
Poor makes sick and sick makes poor.
In this celebration, we know we are connected
to all those who live in situations of poverty
and we pray for great solidarity in our society.

Today we light the third candle on the Advent wreath.
This candle is a powerful sign of our hope
that even small acts of kindness can make a difference.

FIRST READING              Isa 35:1-6a.10
God himself will come and save us.

Make weak hands strong,
give strength to buckling knees.
Speak to all who have lost courage:
Take courage and fear not:
Your God is coming to execute vengeance,
God comes to retaliate and to save you.”

Then the eyes of the blind will open again
and the ears of the deaf will be opened.
The lame will leap like a deer
and rejoice shall the tongue of the dumb.

Those redeemed by the LORD,
shall return again.
Jubilantly they will come to Zion,
their heads surrounded with everlasting joy.
They will obtain joy and gladness,
and pain and wailing take flight.

Answer Psalm                 Ps. 146(145), 7, 8-9a, 9bc-10

Refrain
Come, Lord, to save us.

The Lord always keeps His word,
he provides justice for the oppressed.
The Lord gives bread to those who are hungry,
prisoners He grants freedom.

The eyes of the blind the Lord opens,
he raises up the brokenhearted.
The Lord loves the righteous,
the Lord preserves the displaced.

The Lord gives support to orphans and widows,
but sinners he lets go astray.
The Lord is king for ever,
your God, Zion, reigns over all generations.

SECOND READING                James 5, 7-10
Be of good courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Brothers and sisters,

Have patience until the coming of the Lord.
The farmer who looks forward to the glorious fruit of his land
can only wait patiently,
until the winter and spring rains have fallen.
You too must be patient and courageous,
for the coming of the Lord is near.

Do not accuse one another;
then you yourselves will fall under judgment.
Remember:
The judge is already at the door.
Brothers and sisters,
take an example from the patience
and patience of the prophets,
who have spoken in the name of the Lord.

Verse for the Gospel                    Isa 61:1 (cf. Lk 4:18)

Alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord has come upon Me,
He has sent Me to bring
the Good News.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL                    Mt 11:2-11
Are You coming or do we have another to expect?

At that time John heard in prison
about the works of the Christ
and he had his disciples ask Him the question:
“Art Thou the One to come ,
or have we another to expect?”

Jesus answered them:
“Go and tell John what ye hear and see:
The blind see and the lame walk,
lepers heal and the deaf hear,
the dead rise
and to the poor the Good News is proclaimed.
Happy is he who takes no offence at Me.”

When they had left ,
jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:
“What have ye gone to see in the desert?
At a reed moved by the wind?
What then did ye go to see?
At someone in refined garments?
Those who wear fine clothes
are found in the palaces of kings.
To what then didst thou go out?
To see a prophet?
Indeed, I tell you, even more than a prophet!
It is he of whom it is written:
Behold, I send forth my messenger before thee
who will prepare the way for Your coming.
Verily, I say unto you:
Among those born of women ,
no one has risen who is greater than John the Baptist.
Nevertheless, the smallest in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he.”

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Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCISCUS

On caring for the common home

214. Politics and the various social organisations are due
to make an effort for the formation of conscience. This is also due
the Church. All Christian communities have an important role
to play in this education. I also hope that in our seminaries and in
the religious houses of formation one is educated to a responsible
sobriety, to a grateful contemplation of the world, to concern for
the vulnerability of the poor and the environment. Because the stakes are high
at stake, we need, not only institutions with the power to impose
sanctions for environmental violations but equally we need
that we mutually monitor and educate each other.

To be continued
Every day at 1 am