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Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Red. Year: A(II).

Readings for the feria

Readings for the memorial

These are the readings for the feria

First reading
Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11

Elijah will come again.

In those days:

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire,

and his word burned like a torch.

He brought a famine upon them,

and by his zeal he made them few in number.

By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens,

and also three times brought down fire.

How glorious you were, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!

And who has the right to boast that which you have?

You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire

in a chariot with horses of fire;

you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written,

to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury,

to turn the heart of the father to the son,

and to restore the tribes of Jacob.

Blessed are those who saw you

and those who have been fallen asleep in love.

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 80(79):2ac, 3b, 15-16. 18-19. ℟4

Bring us back, O God;

let your face shine forth, and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hear us,

enthroned on the cherubim, shine forth.

Rouse up your might and come to save us.

Bring us back, O God;

let your face shine forth, and we shall be saved.

God of hosts, turn again, we implore;

look down from heaven and see.

Visit this vine and protect it,

the stock your right hand has planted,

the son you have claimed for yourself.

Bring us back, O God;

let your face shine forth, and we shall be saved.

May your hand be on the man at your right hand,

the son of man you have confirmed as your own.

And we shall never forsake you again;

give us life that we may call upon your name.

Bring us back, O God;

let your face shine forth, and we shall be saved.

Gospel Acclamation	Luke 3:4, 6

Alleluia, alleluia.

Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,

and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

‘Elijah has already come, and they did not recognise him.’

As they were coming down the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, ‘Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?’ He answered, ‘Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognise him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

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These are the readings for the memorial

First reading
2 Corinthians 10:17-11:2

‘I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.’

Brothers and Sisters: ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 31(30):3c-4. 6, 8ab. 16bc, 17. ℟6a

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Be a rock of refuge for me,

a mighty stronghold to save me.

For you are my rock, my stronghold!

Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.

Let me be glad and rejoice in your mercy,

for you who have seen my affliction.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

From the hands of my enemies deliver me,

and from those who pursue me.

Let your face shine on your servant.

Save me in your merciful love.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

This is the wise virgin whom the Lord found watching;

she went in to the wedding feast with him when he came.

Alleluia!

Gospel	Matthew 25:1-13

‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’

At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, ‘The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise answered, saying, “Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.” And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he answered, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.’

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

Universalis podcast: The week ahead – from 14 to 20 December

The rose vestments on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The beginning of the final countdown to Christmas. The ancient O Antiphons. The Latin hymns, and our project to record them. (15 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.