Palm Sunday Readings Annotated

Key:

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

What these readings tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources 

At the Procession with Palms – Gospel  Luke 19:28-40

Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem. As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples. He said, "Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. And if anyone should ask you, 'Why are you untying it?' you will answer, 'The Master has need of it.'" So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying this colt?" They answered, "The Master has need of it."  So they brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks over the colt, and helped Jesus to mount.

As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began topraise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. They proclaimed: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." He said in reply, "I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!"

At the Mass – Reading I  Isaiah 50:4-7

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back.I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: "He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him."
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.But you, O LORD, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: "You who fear the LORD, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!"
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Reading 2 Philippians 2:6-11

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Verse Before the Gospel Philippians 2:8-9

Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Gospel  Luke 22:14-23:56

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with youbefore I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.

"And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed." And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed.

Then an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as 'Benefactors';  but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me,  that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom;  and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail;  and once you have turned back,you must strengthen your brothers."

He said to him, "Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you."

But he replied, "I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me."

He said to them, "When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?" "No, nothing, " they replied. He said to them, "But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, He was counted among the wicked;and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment." Then they said, "Lord, look, there are two swords here." But he replied, "It is enough!"

Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not undergo the test." After withdrawing about a stone's throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done." And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test."

While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, "Lord, shall we strike with a sword?" And one of them struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, "Stop, no more of this!" Then he touched the servant's ear and healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness."

After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them. When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, "This man too was with him." But he denied it saying, "Woman, I do not know him." A short while later someone else saw him and said, "You too are one of them"; but Peter answered, "My friend, I am not." About an hour later, still another insisted, "Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean." But Peter said, "My friend, I do not know what you are talking about." Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly. 

The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, "Prophesy!  Who is it that struck you?" And they reviled him in saying many other things against him.

When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin. They said, "If you are the Christ, tell us, " but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe,  and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied to them, "You say that I am." Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth."

Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, "We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king." Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews? He said to him in reply, "You say so." Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, "I find this man not guilty." But they were adamant and said, "He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here."

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, "You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore, I shall have him flogged and then release him."

But all together they shouted out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us."— Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. —Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, "Crucify him!  Crucify him!" Pilate addressed them a third time, "What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore, I shall have him flogged and then release him." With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?" Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, "This man was innocent beyond doubt." When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events. Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it, they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.

What these scriptures tell us about God

found everything just as he had told them

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue

Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear

The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced

But you, O LORD, be not far from me

O my help, hasten to aid me.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 

he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness

he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross

because of this, God greatly exalted him

I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you

This is my body, which will be given for you

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which will be shed for you.
I am among you as the one who serves. 

When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?" "No, nothing, " 

prayed so fervently 

one of them struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said in reply, "Stop, no more of this!"

he touched the servant's ear and healed him

Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, and the Lord turned and looked at Peter

do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun.

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit

What these scriptures tell us to do

those who had been sent went off 

 speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.I have not rebelled, have not turned back.
I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

He relied on the LORD
But you, O LORD, be not far from me

O my help, hasten to aid me.I will proclaim your name to my brethren

in the midst of the assembly I will praise you

You who fear the LORD, praise him

give glory to him

revere him

Take this and share it among yourselves

do this in memory of me

let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. you must strengthen your brothers

one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack

Pray that you may not undergo the test

prayed so fervently 

pray that you may not undergo the test
do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children 

fear of God

Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, had not consented to their plan of action. 

He … was awaiting the kingdom of God

 they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment

What these scriptures tell us not to do

an argument broke out among them about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. 

The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as 'Benefactors'; but among you it shall not be so

Sirach 2 Annotated

Sirach 2

Key:

What this scripture tells us about God

What this scripture tells us to do

What this scripture tells us not to do

Hyperlink to additional resources 

1 My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials. 

2 Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity. 

3 Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great. 

4 Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient; 5 for in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation. 

6 Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him.

7 You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall. 

8 You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost. 

9 You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. 

10 Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken? has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed? 

11 Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble. 

12 Woe to craven hearts and drooping hands, to the sinner who treads a double path! 

13 Woe to the faint of heart who trust not, who therefore will have no shelter! 

14 Woe to you who have lost hope! what will you do at the visitation of the LORD? 

15 Those who fear the LORD disobey not his words; those who love him keep his ways. 

16 Those who fear the LORD seek to please him, those who love him are filled with his law. 

17 Those who fear the LORD prepare their hearts and humble themselves before him. 

18 Let us fall into the hands of the LORD and not into the hands of men, for equal to his majesty is the mercy that he shows.

What this scripture tells us about God

Compassionate and merciful is the LORD; 

he forgives sins, 

he saves in time of trouble. 

equal to his majesty is the mercy that he shows.

What this scripture tells us to do

prepare yourself for trials. 

Be sincere of heart and steadfast

Cling to him

forsake him not

Accept whatever befalls you

be patient

Trust God 

wait for his mercy

turn not away 

trust him

hope for good things

Study the generations long past 

hoped in the LORD 

persevered in his fear 

called upon him

keep his ways. 

seek to please him

filled with his law. 

prepare their hearts

humble themselves before him. 

What this scripture tells us not to do

craven hearts 

drooping hands

treads a double path

the faint of heart who trust not

lost hope

disobey not his words

God calls us to Him. He forgives, welcomes & heals (readings for March 31, 2019 annotated)

Key

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

What the scriptures tell us not to do

Commentary

Hyperlink to additional resources

Today’s readings demonstrate God’s wonderfully loving nature. He freely forgives if we truly repent. He graciously welcomes us in spite of our sin. He heals us and makes us new. 

The love revealed in these scriptures is reflected in the very first paragraph of The Catechism of the Catholic Church:

 “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Saviour. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.”

Other scriptures describing God’s wonderful love are collected in Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin. 

Reading 1  Joshua 5:9-12

The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.”

While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they celebrated the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth of the month. On the day after the Passover, they ate of the produce of the land in the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain. On that same day after the Passover, on which they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased. No longer was there manna for the Israelites, who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-7

R. (9a)  Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD; the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Brothers and sisters:
Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away;
behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation,  namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,  not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

Verse Before the Gospel Luke 15:18

I will get up and go to my Father and shall say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

Gospel Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable:

“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any. 

Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.

His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’

But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.

Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 

He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’

He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

What these scriptures tell us about God

I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you

the goodness of the Lord.
the lowly will hear me and be glad

the goodness of the Lord.
he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy

When the poor one called out, the LORD heard

from all his distress he saved him.
the goodness of the Lord.

Whoever is in Christ is a new creation

all this is from God

reconciled us to himself through Christ
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ

not counting their trespasses against them

entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin

we might become the righteousness of God in him.

I will get up and go to my Father and shall say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

This man welcomes sinners and eats with them

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.

He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.

But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was

dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found. 

everything I have is yours

we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found

What these scriptures tell us to do

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
bless the LORD at all times

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.glory in the LORD
the lowly will hear me and be glad

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
together extol his name
sought the LORD

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him 

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

entrusting to us the message of reconciliation
be reconciled to God.

drawing near to listen to Jesus

I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you”

he got up and went back to his father.

His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you’

celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found

What these scriptures tell us not to do

a life of dissipation

He became angry

God comes to us. We should embrace His will (readings for March 26, 2019 annotated)

Key

What these scriptures tell us about God

What these scriptures tell us to do

Commentary

Hyperlink to additional resources

God comes to us, reaches out to us, in spite of His perfection and our deep imperfection. Great, inconceivable, goodness results when we respond to Him by embracing His always perfect will.  

Other scriptures addressing those dynamics are collected in Wisdom Principles—God Loves and Calls Us to Him, In Spite of our Sin and Wisdom Principles—True Piety.

Additional meditations on the annunciation can be accessed at What We Can Learn From Jesus' Nativity: The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) 

Reading 1  Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!

But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!"

Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us!" 

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 40:7-11

R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, "Behold I come."
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!"
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; your faithfulnessand your salvation I have spoken of;  I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assembly.
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

Reading 2  Hebrews 10:4-10

It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins. For this reason, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, 'As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.'"

First he says, "Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in." These are offered according to the law. Then he says, "Behold, I come to do your will." He takes away the first to establish the second. By this "will," we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Verse Before the Gospel  John 1:14

The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us; and we saw his glory.

Gospel  Luke 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 greatand will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of Davidhis 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. 

What these scriptures tell us about God

God is with us! 

Your justice

your faithfulness

your salvation

your kindness

your truth

Christ came into the world

we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The Word of God became flesh and made his dwelling among us

we saw his glory

was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth

He will be great

Son of the Most High

God will give him the throne of David

he will rule over the house of Jacob forever

of his Kingdom there will be no end

the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God

nothing will be impossible for God

What these scriptures tell us to do

come to do your will
ears open to obedience 

come to do your will
to do your will, O my God, is my delight

come to do your will
announced your justice 

come to do your will
Your justice I kept not hid

your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of

I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth in the vast assemblycome to do your will

I come to do your will, O God
I come to do your will

May it be done to me according to your word