The Awesome God of all reaches out to us in love. We must embrace His loving will, even if it’s not what we would expect (readings for Dec. 9, 2019, Lectionary 689)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these reading tell us to do

What these readings tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Genesis 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: Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 

R. 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 2: Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 

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 usin 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: Luke 1:28  

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

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 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.

What these readings tell us about God

the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?”
he has done marvelous deeds
he has done wondrous deeds
His right hand has won victory

his holy arm.
he has done marvelous deeds
The LORD has made his salvation known

he has revealed his justice
his kindness

his faithfulness

he has done marvelous deeds
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God
he has done marvelous deeds

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing

he chose us in him

In love he destined us for adoption

through Jesus Christ

the favor of his will

his grace that he granted us
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things

He will be great

Son of the Most High

the Lord God will give him the throne of David

he will rule over the house of Jacob forever

his Kingdom there will be no end

the power of the Most High

the child to be born will be called holy

the Son of God

nothing will be impossible for God

What these readings tell us to do

Sing to the Lord a new song

Sing to the LORD a new song

Sing to the Lord a new song

Sing to the Lord a new song
Sing joyfully to the LORD

break into song

sing praise

be holy and without blemish before him

destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things

we might exist for the praise of his glory

hoped in Christ

pondered what sort of greeting this might be

Do not be afraid

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord

May it be done to me according to your word

What these readings tell us not to do

I was afraid

so I hid myself

God’s kingship is perfect. We should humbly, sincerely, seek Him. We should follow His example of justice for and mercy to the weak. (Readings for Dec. 8, 2019, Lectionary 4)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

What these readings tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Isaiah 11:1-10

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. 

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. 

On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17  

R.  Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king, and with your justice, the king's son; he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.
May his name be blessed forever; as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed; all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.

Reading 2: Romans 15:4-9  

Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

May the God of endurance and encouragement  grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus,  that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.

For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness,  to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.

Alleluia: Luke 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: Matthew 3:1-12  

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.'For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

What these readings tell us about God:

The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him

a spirit of wisdom

understanding

a spirit of counsel

strength

a spirit of knowledge

fear of the LORD

his delight shall be the fear of the LORD

he shall judge the poor with justice

decide aright for the land's afflicted

He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth

with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked

Justice shall be the band around his waist

faithfulness a belt upon his hips

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain

the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever
your justice

he shall govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever
Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace

he rule from sea to sea

from the River to the ends of the earth
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever
he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever

his name be blessed forever

as long as the sun his name shall remain
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed

all the nations shall proclaim his happiness
Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever

Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction

by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope

the God of endurance and encouragement  

Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs

the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy

all flesh shall see the salvation of God

God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones

every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire
He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire

What these readings tell us to do:

judge the poor with justice

decide aright for the land's afflicted

govern your people with justice and your afflicted ones with judgment
rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him

have pity for the lowly and the poor

lives of the poor he shall save
his name be blessed forever

by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope 

think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus

with one accord 

with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you

praise [God] among the Gentiles 

sing praises to [God’s] name
Prepare the way of the Lord

make straight his paths

Repent

going out to him 

acknowledged their sins
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance

bear good fruit

What the readings tell us not to do:

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide

do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.'

God’s reign will be wonderful. We must eagerly, lovingly, seek Him now. (Readings for Dec. 1, 2019; Lectionary 1)

Key:

What these readings tell us about God

What these readings tell us to do

What these readings tell us not to do

Hyperlinks to additional resources

Reading 1: Isaiah 2:1-5  

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come, the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills.  All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths."For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks;  one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me, "We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends I will say, "Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God, I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Reading 2: Romans 13:11-14  

You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Alleluia: Cf. Psalm 85:8  

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44 

Jesus said to his disciples: "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.  Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

What these readings tell us about God:

the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills

All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob

that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths."

from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem

He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples

They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks

one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again

our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed

the night is advanced, the day is at hand

your love

your salvation.

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man

you do not know on which day your Lord will come

at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come

What these readings tell us to do:

let us walk in the light of the Lord!

go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
go up to the house of the LORD
go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
give thanks to the name of the LORD
go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
say, "Peace be within you!"
pray for your good
go rejoicing to the house of the Lord

awake from sleep

throw off the works of darkness 

put on the armor of light
conduct ourselves properly as in the day

put on the Lord Jesus Christ

make no provision for the desires of the flesh
stay awake! 

be prepared

What these readings tell us not to do:

orgies 

drunkenness

promiscuity 

lust

rivalry

jealousy

Scriptures discussing how we can experience some of the good things that exemplify God’s reign now are collected at:

Wisdom Principles: God’s Ways Give Security

Wisdom Principles—God is a Refuge for Those Who Love Him

Scriptures on how we can seek God’s reign are collected at:

Wisdom Principles: We Must Make Real Effort/Sacrifice to Receive All that God Offers, But It Is Well Worth It