Sunday, December 15, 2019

God WILL set all things right and it WILL be worth all we go through. In the meantime, we must pray, renew our trust in Him, and love each other. (Readings for Dec. 15, 2019, lectionary 7)

Key:
What the readings tell us about God
What these readings tell us to do
What these readings tell us not to do
Hyperlinks to additional translations 

Reading 1: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 
The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORDthe splendor of our God.

Strengthen the hands that are feeblemake firm the knees that are weaksay to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joythey will meet with joy and gladnesssorrow and mourning will flee.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 
R. (cf. Isaiah 35:4Lord, come and save us.
The LORD God keeps faith foreversecures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. 
Lord, come and save us.
The LORD gives sight to the blindthe LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the justthe LORD protects strangers.
R. 
Lord, come and save us.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. 
Lord, come and save us.

Reading 2: James 5:7-10  
Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patientMake your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Alleluia:Isaiah 61:1(cited in Luke 4:16-21
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"

Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind regain their sight,  the lame walk,  lepers are cleansed,  the deaf hearthe dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out?  

To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of youhe will prepare your way before you.

Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

What these readings tell us about God:
the glory of the LORD
the splendor of our God
Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you
the eyes of the blind be opened
the ears of the deaf be cleared
the lame leap like a stag
the tongue of the mute will sing.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing crowned with everlasting joy
they will meet with joy and gladness
sorrow and mourning will flee
The LORD God keeps faith forever
secures justice for the oppressed
gives food to the hungry
The LORD sets captives free
The LORD gives sight to the blind
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down
The LORD loves the just
the LORD protects strangers
The fatherless and the widow he sustains
the way of the wicked he thwarts
The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor
the blind regain their sight
the lame walk
lepers are cleansed
he deaf hear
the dead are raised
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them
blessed is the one who takes no offense at me
I am sending my messenger ahead of you
he will prepare your way before you.
there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he

What these readings tell us to do:
Strengthen the hands that are feeble
make firm the knees that are weak
say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! 
[pray:] Lord, come and save us
[pray:] Lord, come and save us
[pray:] Lord, come and save us
[pray:] Lord, come and save us
Be patient
be patient
Make your hearts firm
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord

What these readings tell us not to do:
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another

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