1ST READING
Israel
and its people are to Christianity as John the Baptist is to Jesus. The
revelation that God brings to Israel can be seen as a preparation for
the life of the Church. In a certain sense, the grace of being the
People of God is now held by Christians as we are the ones who carry
forth the Word of the Gospel to the world and it is offered to all and
not just a select few this time.
Baruch 5:1-9
1 Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: 2 Wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. 3 For God will show all the earth your splendor: 4 you will be named by God forever the peace of justice,
the glory of God’s worship. 5 Up,
Jerusalem, stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your
children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy
One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. 6 Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. 7 For
God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the
age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may
advance secure in the glory of God. 8 The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God’s command; 9 for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.
P S A L M
Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
R: The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
1 When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R) Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R) 4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R) 6 Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (R)
2ND READING
Paul
insists that Christians should be united in giving witness to the Good
News. The division between Christian denominations is a scandal that
damages the proclamation of the Gospel from the outset. What can we do
about this division? Practically speaking, we can do very little at the
macro level. However, at the micro level, nothing should stop us from
praying for God’s will of unity to become a reality among all
Christians.
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
4 Brothers and sisters: I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, 5 because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. 8 God is my witness, how I long for all of
you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, 10 to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
GOSPEL
We
should not expect to change the face of evangelization by ourselves.
What is important is that we do what we can to aid the work of the
Gospel. It is like building a road: some people blow up dynamites to
level the ground; others smoothen the road path; others prepare the
foundation and lay it; others lay the final surface and finally others
clean up and do the landscaping. It takes many to proclaim the fullness
of the Gospel. Let us be content in doing our bit.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Luke 3:1-6
1 In
the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate
was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his
brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and
Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as
it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice
of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make
straight his paths. 5 Every
valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made
smooth, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
1st READING 2nd READING
GOSPEL PSALM
TODAY’S
BLESSING
LIST
think: Nothing should stop us from praying for God’s will of unity to become a reality among Christians.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ___________________________
____________________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_________
____________________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Daniel 7-9
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