Today's Catholic mass reading and meditation

05/29/2022

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Catholic Church

12/08/2021

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 689
Reading I
Gn 3:9-15, 20
After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,
the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?”
He answered, “I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself.”
Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!”
The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”
The LORD God then asked the woman,
“Why did you do such a thing?”
The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”

Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel.”

The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living.

Responsorial Psalm
98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
R. (1) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Reading II
Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.

In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.

Alleluia
See Lk 1:28
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

DAILY MEDITATION: LUKE 1:26-38

I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. (Luke 1:38)

Today’s Gospel reading highlights for us how crucial Mary’s yes was to God’s plan of salvation. It shows how Mary wasn’t just a docile participant in this plan: she freely offered herself to God as his handmaid, as a servant of a very lowly status. This unique woman, who was conceived without original sin, did more than just consent to having Jesus take shape in her womb for nine months. She allowed him to change the trajectory of her entire life! From the moment she said yes, Mary was no longer only the wife of Joseph. She became the mother of all believers.

Reflecting on Mary’s openness to her new calling, Pope Francis once said, “Immediately upon receiving the Angel’s announcement,” Mary “went to share the gift of her fruitfulness with her relative Elizabeth” (Angelus, December 8, 2014). Mary wasted no time in living out her new vocation!

The Holy Father went on to say how the same holds true for us. God wants to “make of us a gift for others,” just as he did for Mary. And how do we do this? By allowing the Spirit to make us “instruments of acceptance, instruments of reconciliation, instruments of forgiveness.” In short, by treating the people around us with the same love and mercy that Jesus has shown us.

Take time today to reflect on the life of this humble girl from Nazareth. How can you imitate her willingness to give what she received? Especially during this season, when tensions between family members can run high, how can you act as an instrument of reconciliation, welcome, or healing? A listening ear, an offer of prayer, a readiness to forgive—it doesn’t take much to be a channel of God’s grace. That’s because the grace comes from God, not from you. You’re simply giving away the gift that he has freely given to you.

“Lord, make me your servant! Help me to be like Mary, an instrument of your grace and presence to the people around me.”

Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 98:1-4
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

12/05/2021

Second Sunday of Advent
Lectionary: 6
Reading I
Bar 5:1-9
Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
bear on your head the mitre
that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
you will be named by God forever
the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.

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.
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.
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.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
by the light of his glory,
with his mercy and justice for company.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6.
R. (3) The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Reading II
Phil 1:4-6, 8-11
Brothers and sisters:
I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,
because of your partnership for the gospel
from the first day until now.
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.
God is my witness,
how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may increase ever more and more
in knowledge and every kind of perception,
to discern what is of value,
so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.

Alleluia
Lk 3:4, 6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 3:1-6
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,
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
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.
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,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

DAILY MEDITATION: LUKE 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, . . . the word of God came to John. (Luke 3:1, 2)

Imagine John awaiting God’s time in the desert (Luke 1:76; 3:2). He must have grown tired of living on locusts and wild honey! But while John was waiting, God was working. John grew “strong in spirit . . . until the day of his manifestation to Israel” (1:80). That day finally arrived! God spoke, and John’s mission began.

Waiting. It’s central to the season of Advent. We hear how Israel waited centuries for the Messiah. We see Elizabeth and Zechariah waiting until old age to have a child. And we see John waiting for years before beginning to preach and baptize.

We wait too. We wait not just for Christmas, but also for Jesus’ Second Coming, when he will fulfill every promise and right every wrong. Waiting for the Lord to answer our prayers can be especially difficult because we can’t always see progress. So how can we learn to wait on the Lord with a sense of hope?

We can start by remembering God’s faithfulness. John must have spent time recalling how God had delivered Israel and what God had personally promised him. Like John, we can recall God’s blessings in our lives and all he has done in sending Jesus to save us. That can help make our waiting a little sweeter; it can also lead us to trust him a little more deeply.

We can also praise God while we are waiting: for what he has already done and for what he will do in the future. We can praise him that one day he will put an end to our struggles and welcome us into his heavenly home. But we can also praise him for what he is doing right now. He is working in our families, in our churches, and in our world. As we praise him, our hope will rise and our faith will grow stronger. And when God’s timing does arrive, our hearts will be ready—just as John’s was!

“Lord, I have seen your goodness. I will wait on you with confidence.”

Baruch 5:1-9
Psalm 126:1-6
Philippians 1:4-11

12/04/2021

Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Lectionary: 180
Reading I
Is 30:19-21, 23-26
Thus says the Lord GOD,
the Holy One of Israel:
O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem,
no more will you weep;
He will be gracious to you when you cry out,
as soon as he hears he will answer you.
The Lord will give you the bread you need
and the water for which you thirst.
No longer will your Teacher hide himself,
but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher,
While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears:
“This is the way; walk in it,”
when you would turn to the right or to the left.

He will give rain for the seed
that you sow in the ground,
And the wheat that the soil produces
will be rich and abundant.
On that day your flock will be given pasture
and the lamb will graze in spacious meadows;
The oxen and the asses that till the ground
will eat silage tossed to them
with shovel and pitchfork.
Upon every high mountain and lofty hill
there will be streams of running water.
On the day of the great slaughter,
when the towers fall,
The light of the moon will be like that of the sun
and the light of the sun will be seven times greater
like the light of seven days.
On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people,
he will heal the bruises left by his blows.

Responsorial Psalm
147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (see Isaiah 30:18d) Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
Praise the LORD, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.
R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.
Great is our LORD and mighty in power:
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R. Blessed are all who wait for the Lord.

Alleluia
Is 33:22
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The LORD is our Judge, our Lawgiver, our King;
he it is who will save us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint John of Damascus, priest, religious, doctor of the Church

DAILY MEDITATION: MATTHEW 9:35–10:1, 5-8

His heart was moved with pity. (Matthew 9:36)

When Jesus saw the crowds in the towns and villages he visited, he was moved. He wanted to reach out to them with his healing and mercy. He wanted to teach them and form them. As the Son of God, he could have done any number of things on a grand scale. He could have waved his hand over the crowd and healed them all at once. Or spoken his message into the minds and hearts of each person. So what did he do? The answer shows a surprising level of humility and trust.

He sent twelve regular guys to go out on his behalf. These ordinary men wouldn’t just be involved in his ministry of healing and proclaiming the good news—they would be essential to it! Jesus took those disciples—from the Greek word meaning “student”—and made them apostles—from the word meaning “one who is sent.”

Jesus was certainly taking a risk, wasn’t he? After all, he knew that the Twelve might well fall short. So why did he do it? Clearly, he wanted to bless the crowds through them. But he also wanted to bless the apostles as they stepped out in faith and prayed for people’s healing and deliverance. He knew they would be stretched outside of what was comfortable for them, and he also knew they would see God’s amazing work as they obeyed his call.

You can take courage that Jesus is sending you out, just as he sent the apostles. He still looks at the people who are “troubled and abandoned” (Matthew 9:36), and longs to reach them. He could do something on a grand scale, something that could touch multitudes all at once. But he is sending you. He is asking you to go out with his authority to bring his mercy, healing, and forgiveness to them. And he will deepen your faith with each step you take. How could you be inspired and answer that call today?

“Jesus, I want to be your representative in the world. Work through me to bring your compassion to everyone I meet today.”

Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Psalm 147:1-6

12/03/2021

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Lectionary: 179
Reading I
Is 29:17-24
Thus says the Lord GOD:
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

Responsorial Psalm
27:1, 4, 13-14
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 9:27-31
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

DAILY MEDITATION: MATTHEW 9:27-31

Do you believe that I can do this? (Matthew 9:28)

If Jesus asked you this question, you’d likely respond as the two blind men did in today’s Gospel: “Yes, Lord” (Matthew 9:28). We know that Jesus healed many people during his public ministry. We also know that as the risen Christ, he still heals people today.

But if we believe that Jesus can heal, then why doesn’t he heal every person for whom we pray? As Jesus touched the eyes of the two blind men, he said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith” (Matthew 9:29). We might think, I have faith, Lord, so why didn’t you heal the young mother I prayed for who died leaving her children behind? Why don’t you heal my spouse’s cancer or my son’s depression?

This is a mystery we may never understand this side of heaven, and it can test our faith. We know that God cares deeply for each of us; he has counted every hair on our heads (Matthew 10:30). Yet we also know that he doesn’t always say yes to every prayer we offer.

But that doesn’t mean we should stop praying. Rather, we should imitate these two blind men and the persistent woman in Jesus’ parable (Luke 18:1-8). We should never give up asking, even when a situation seems dire. Instead, we should say, “Jesus, I believe you can do this!”

But as you pray, also ask God for the grace to surrender the situation into his hands. It’s not always easy to offer our most pressing petitions to God and then let go of the outcome, but the more you practice, the more your trust in him will grow.

God may give you a healing, maybe even a miraculous one. Or the healing might be different than you expected, perhaps emotional or spiritual. Maybe you won’t notice any change at all. Whatever happens, Jesus hears your prayers; he is always at your side, loving you, comforting you, and sustaining you. He will bring good out of your suffering, even if you can’t see it right away. After all, he is your Redeemer. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, he has delivered you from sin and death. And that, in the end, is the greatest healing of all!

“Jesus, as I pray for healing, help me to surrender all my needs into your loving hands.”

Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14

12/02/2021

Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Lectionary: 178
Reading I
Is 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:

“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”

Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.

Responsorial Psalm
118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia
Is 55:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call him while he is near.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 7:21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

DAILY MEDITATION: MATTHEW 7:21, 24-27

The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew. (Matthew 7:25)

Storms are inevitable, both in nature and in life. To survive them, Jesus says, we need to build our lives on the firm foundation of his word (Matthew 7:25-26). But how do we do that, especially when we’re being buffeted by rain and wind? Since it’s Advent, let’s take a few minutes to reflect on the storms that Mary and Joseph encountered and how their example can help us to build our own lives on the “rock” of Christ (7:24).

Mary and Joseph faced an unplanned pregnancy, an uncomfortable journey to Bethlehem, and a hurried flight to Egypt. The stories in the Bible don’t offer much detail, but that doesn’t mean those situations were simple to navigate or that trust in God came easily. Mary and Joseph were human like us. They probably faced a host of questions, emotions, and fears, just as we can. But because the Lord was already their firm foundation, they listened to his word, trusted that he knew what was best for them, and did what he was asking. And through their obedience, God saved the world.

The storms of life can be frightening, and suffering and hardship can give way to real loss. But the Lord is with us always, speaking to us, showing us how to navigate each situation. As we imitate Mary and Joseph by listening to God and obeying his voice, we can trust that he will keep our “houses” from collapsing (Matthew 7:25). Not only that, but our faith in him will be even stronger when we face the next storm.

Today, spend a few extra minutes meditating on one of the Holy Family’s storms and how they reacted to it. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine what they must have felt or thought. Then think of a “storm” you might be experiencing now. How can you listen, trust, and obey God as they did? How can you make your foundation in Christ even stronger than it is right now?

Let’s ask for the grace to respond to the turbulence in our lives as Mary and Joseph did. Like them, may we always be that wise man or woman who builds their lives on the unshakable “rock” of the Lord and his word!

“Lord, you are my foundation. Help me build my life on you!”

Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27

12/01/2021

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
Lectionary: 177
Reading I
Is 25:6-10a
On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken.

On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Responsorial Psalm
23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 15:29-37
At that time:
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,
and many others.
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking,
the deformed made whole,
the lame walking,
and the blind able to see,
and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said,
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,
for they have been with me now for three days
and have nothing to eat.
I do not want to send them away hungry,
for fear they may collapse on the way.”
The disciples said to him,
“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place
to satisfy such a crowd?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
gave thanks, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

DAILY MEDITATION: ISAIAH 25:6-10

On this mountain . . . (Isaiah 25:6)

In Scripture, mountains are often seen as places of revelation, DAILY MEDITATION: ISAIAH 25:6-10

On this mountain . . . (Isaiah 25:6)

In Scripture, mountains are often seen as places of revelation, where heaven and earth meet. Think of Mount Sinai, where God spoke with Moses (Exodus 19:1-6). Or Mount Horeb, where the Lord met with Elijah (1 Kings 19:8-18). In these first days of Advent, Isaiah points us to the end of the story, the heavenly Mount Zion. There, God will live among his people forever. There, he will destroy the veil over all people. There, he will overcome death itself and provide a rich feast for his people.

In Jesus, these promises are fulfilled—and on mountains, no less!

He will destroy the veil (Isaiah 25:7). On Mount Tabor, Jesus was transfigured before his three closest disciples. The veil that separated us from knowing and hearing God was lifted briefly (Matthew 17:1-8). Now you can hear from God personally—in prayer, in Scripture, even as you drive to work or do the laundry. As St. Paul promises, “Whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed” (2 Corinthians 3:16).

He will destroy death forever (Isaiah 25:8). On the mount of Calvary, death was defeated. As you look on Jesus in the manger this Advent, think of what he accomplished in his cross and resurrection. He suffered death and rose victorious, “trampling death by death” (St. John Chrysostom, Easter Homily). He also defeated the devil, who held the power of death and freed you from the grasp of sin. Through faith and Baptism, the floodgates of mercy have been opened. You have been reconciled with God and can live with him forever!

The Lord . . . will provide . . . a feast (Isaiah 25:6). On the heavenly Mount Zion, you will come to a feast in “the city of the living God” (Hebrews 12:22). But even today you can feast on the close relationship with God that Jesus offers you. Not only that, but you can also feast on his own Body and Blood in the Eucharist. You feast because God provides all of this for you in Jesus.

So rejoice today and shout for joy, “God . . . ; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” (Isaiah 25:9).

“Jesus, thank you for removing the veil and defeating death. I rejoice in your salvation!”

Psalm 23:1-6
Matthew 15:29-37