Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: C(I).

First reading
1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-64

‘Very great wrath came upon Israel.’

In those days: There came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

In those days lawless men came forth from Israel and misled many, saying, ‘Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us.’ This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorised them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil.

Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people and that each should give up his customs. All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the Sabbath.

Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of whole burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah, and burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. The books of the Law that they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of anyone, or if anyone adhered to the Law, the decree of the king condemned him to death.

But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. And very great wrath came upon Israel.

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 119(118):53, 61. 134, 150. 155, 158. ℟cf.88

Give me life, O Lord; I will obey your precepts.

I am seized with indignation at the wicked

who forsake your law.

Though the nets of the wicked ensnare me,

your law I do not forget.

Give me life, O Lord; I will obey your precepts.

Redeem me from man’s oppression,

and I will keep your precepts.

Those who pursue me with malice draw near;

they are far from your law.

Give me life, O Lord; I will obey your precepts.

Salvation is far from the wicked,

who are heedless of your statutes.

I look at the faithless with disgust;

they have not kept your word.

Give me life, O Lord; I will obey your precepts.

Gospel Acclamation	John 8:12

Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia.

Gospel	Luke 18:35-43

‘What do you want me to do for you?
— Lord, let me recover my sight.’

At that time: As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he enquired what this meant. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ And he cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me recover my sight.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

You can also view this page with the New Testament in Greek and English.

Universalis podcast: Resurrection is Now: part 5 of 8

The Moment of Choice: Judgement; Purgatory; Hell. (21 minutes)
Episode notes.

Christian Art

Each day, The Christian Art website gives a picture and reflection on the Gospel of the day.

The readings on this page are from the English Standard Version, which is used at Mass in Great Britain. The Jerusalem Bible (which is used at Mass in much of the English-speaking world) will appear instead if you set this page to use a calendar from outside Great Britain. The New American Bible readings, which are used at Mass in the United States, are available in the Universalis apps, programs and downloads.