The Word Became Flesh (LAST DAY OF THE YEAR 2021)

DECEMBER 31, 2021, FRIDAY
LAST DAY OF THE YEAR 2021
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas (White)
Optional Memorial of Saint Sylvester I, Pope (White)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 204

Reading I
1 Jn 2:18-21

Children, it is the last hour; 

and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,

so now many antichrists have appeared. 

Thus we know this is the last hour. 

They went out from us, but they were not really of our number;

if they had been, they would have remained with us. 

Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number. 

But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One,

and you all have knowledge. 

I write to you not because you do not know the truth 

but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth.

Responsorial Psalm
96:1-2, 11-12, 13

R.     (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Sing to the LORD a new song;

    sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name;

    announce his salvation, day after day. 

R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;

    let the sea and what fills it resound;

    let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!

Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the LORD.

R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

The LORD comes,

    he comes to rule the earth.

He shall rule the world with justice

    and the peoples with his constancy.

R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Alleluia
Jn 1:14a, 12a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.

To those who accepted him

he gave power to become the children of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,

    and the Word was with God,

    and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things came to be through him,

    and without him nothing came to be.

What came to be through him was life,

    and this life was the light of the human race;

    the light shines in the darkness,

    and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify to the light, 

so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light,

but came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world,

    and the world came to be through him,

    but the world did not know him.

He came to what was his own,

    but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him

    he gave power to become children of God, 

    to those who believe in his name, 

    who were born not by natural generation 

    nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision 

    but of God.

And the Word became flesh

    and made his dwelling among us,

    and we saw his glory,

    the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,

    full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, 

“This was he of whom I said, 

‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me 

because he existed before me.’”

From his fullness we have all received,

grace in place of grace,

because while the law was given through Moses, 

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.

The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, 

has revealed him.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

As our year draws to a close, today’s scripture brings us back to the beginning of all time. As we stand on the threshold of another year, we take time to recall the greatest event of all: God has entered our world, not just for a day’s visit, but has made it his permanent dwelling.

PRAYER:

Lord, let me set aside some time today, to reflect back on how the light of your presence has impacted on my life during this past year. Let me be grateful and give thanks for all I have received from you directly and through the gift of other people.

The Return to Nazareth

DECEMBER 30, 2021, THURSDAY
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas (White)
CYCLE C -YEAR II
Lectionary: 203

Reading I
1 Jn 2:12-17

I am writing to you, children,

because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake.

I am writing to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,

because you have conquered the Evil One.

I write to you, children,

because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

because you are strong and the word of God remains in you,

and you have conquered the Evil One.

Do not love the world or the things of the world. 

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

For all that is in the world,

sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life,

is not from the Father but is from the world. 

Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. 

But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Responsorial Psalm
96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10

R.    (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,

    give to the LORD glory and praise;

    give to the LORD the glory due his name!

R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Bring gifts, and enter his courts;

    worship the LORD in holy attire.

Tremble before him, all the earth.

R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Say among the nations: The LORD is king.

He has made the world firm, not to be moved;

    he governs the peoples with equity. 

R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A holy day has dawned upon us.

Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.

Today a great light has come upon the earth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna,

the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. 

She was advanced in years,

having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. 

She never left the temple,

but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 

And coming forward at that very time,

she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child

to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions

of the law of the Lord,

they returned to Galilee,

to their own town of Nazareth. 

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;

and the favor of God was upon him.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

The Christmas season celebrates the birth of a child but the Gospels include many venerable figures like Simeon, Elizabeth, Zechariah and, today, Anna. These people remind me of the fullness of life and wisdom that enrich human experience. I pray that young and old alike may people may benefit from each other's company.

Think of the joy of Anna! For so many years she has lived faithfully in the Temple. She is a familiar sight, part of the furniture. She is a holy old woman, set in her ways. Then comes this moment of delight when she recognises that God is indeed present, and in human form. She tells everyone. May I too speak of God being born into our world today.

PRAYER:

Lord, let me value the hidden quality of prayer. “What each one is interiorly unknown to anyone else is of vital consequence to all.” Let me never doubt the value of ‘wasting time’ hidden with you before the Father.

Jesus Presented In The Temple

DECEMBER 29, 2021, WEDNESDAY
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas (White)
Optional Memorial of Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr (Red)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 202

Reading I
1 Jn 2:3-11

Beloved:

The way we may be sure that we know Jesus 

is to keep his commandments. 

Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments

is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But whoever keeps his word,

the love of God is truly perfected in him. 

This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:

whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.

Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you

but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. 

The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 

And yet I do write a new commandment to you,

which holds true in him and among you,

for the darkness is passing away,

and the true light is already shining. 

Whoever says he is in the light,

yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. 

Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,

and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. 

Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;

he walks in darkness

and does not know where he is going

because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Responsorial Psalm
96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6

R.    (11a)  Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Sing to the LORD a new song;

    sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name. 

R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Announce his salvation, day after day.

Tell his glory among the nations;

    among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

The LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty go before him;

    praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.

R.    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

Alleluia
Lk 2:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A light of revelation to the Gentiles

and glory for your people Israel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 2:22-35

When the days were completed for their purification

according to the law of Moses,

the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem

to present him to the Lord,

just as it is written in the law of the Lord,

Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,

and to offer the sacrifice of

a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,

in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. 

This man was righteous and devout,

awaiting the consolation of Israel,

and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

that he should not see death

before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 

He came in the Spirit into the temple;

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus

to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,

he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Lord, now let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation

which you prepared in the sight of every people,

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;

and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

“Behold, this child is destined

for the fall and rise of many in Israel,

and to be a sign that will be contradicted

(and you yourself a sword will pierce)

so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Simeon was one of those known as The Quiet in the Land, Jews who did not look for a military Messiah, and had no dreams of armies or power, but believed in a life of constant watchfulness and prayer until God should come. There is a double surprise here: the delight of Simeon at being able to welcome the Promised One; and the astonishment of Mary and Joseph at what was being said about said about their boy.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I too open my eyes in grateful amazement when I see your interventions in my life.

Escape To Egypt

DECEMBER 28, 2021, TUESDAY
FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS (Red)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 698

Reading I
1 Jn 1:5—2:2

Beloved:

This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ

and proclaim to you:

God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.

If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” 

while we continue to walk in darkness,

we lie and do not act in truth.

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,

then we have fellowship with one another,

and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

If we say, “We are without sin,”

we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just 

and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.

If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, 

and his word is not in us.

My children, I am writing this to you

so that you may not commit sin.

But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, 

Jesus Christ the righteous one.

He is expiation for our sins,

and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. 

Responsorial Psalm
124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8

R.    (7) Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Had not the LORD been with us—

When men rose up against us,

    then would they have swallowed us alive,

When their fury was inflamed against us.

R.    Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Then would the waters have overwhelmed us;

The torrent would have swept over us;

    over us then would have swept the raging waters.

R.    Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Broken was the snare,

    and we were freed.

Our help is in the name of the LORD,

    who made heaven and earth.

R.    Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare.

Alleluia
See Te Deum

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We praise you, O God,

we acclaim you as Lord;

the white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 2:13-18

When the magi had departed, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,

“Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,

and stay there until I tell you.

Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night

and departed for Egypt.

He stayed there until the death of Herod,

that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,

    Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi,

he became furious.

He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity

two years old and under,

in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi.

Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet:

    A voice was heard in Ramah,

        sobbing and loud lamentation;

    Rachel weeping for her children,

        and she would not be consoled,

        since they were no more.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Joy at the birth of Christ is short-lived. The cross looms from the outset. He is a hunted child. Mary, Joseph and Jesus must flee the wrath and brutal response of a cruel ruler who has been duped.

In the other hand, King Herod was guilty of a heinous crime. Still, it was part of the plan of God. We recall our own smaller sins, and take comfort in the fact that God is still in charge of everything.

It is heart-breaking to imagine the slaughter of these children, the “Holy Innocents”. But our sense of pain for them can stir us now to do what we can for the suffering children of our world. In this way, the hideous suffering of the Innocents becomes an occasion of grace two thousand years on.

PRAYER:

Lord, you came into this world helpless and poor. You lived among the powerless and the needy and took their part. Make me alive to the sufferings of the innocent. Make me active in their protection, remembering always that whatever I do to ‘the least of these little ones’ I do to you.

The Empty Tomb

DECEMBER 27, 2021, MONDAY
FEAST OF SAINT JOHN, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST 
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 697

Reading I
1 Jn 1:1-4

Beloved:

What was from the beginning,

what we have heard,

what we have seen with our eyes,

what we looked upon

and touched with our hands

concerns the Word of life —

for the life was made visible;

we have seen it and testify to it

and proclaim to you the eternal life

that was with the Father and was made visible to us— 

what we have seen and heard

we proclaim now to you,

so that you too may have fellowship with us;

for our fellowship is with the Father

and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

Responsorial Psalm
97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12

R.    (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;

    let the many isles be glad.

Clouds and darkness are around him,

    justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

R.    Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

    before the LORD of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his justice,

    and all peoples see his glory.

R.    Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Light dawns for the just;

    and gladness, for the upright of heart.

Be glad in the LORD, you just,

    and give thanks to his holy name.

R.    Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

Alleluia
See Te Deum

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We praise you, O God,

we acclaim you as Lord;

the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 20:1a and 2-8

On the first day of the week,

Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter

and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,

and we do not know where they put him.”

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter

and arrived at the tomb first;

he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.

When Simon Peter arrived after him,

he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,

and the cloth that had covered his head,

not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.

Then the other disciple also went in,

the one who had arrived at the tomb first,

and he saw and believed.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: 

"All that glitters is not gold." Don't be fooled by the empty promises of this world. "Seek the things that are above." (Colossians 3:2)

PRAYER: 

Jesus, when I fall into sin, raise me up from the dead.

The Boy Jesus At The Temple (FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY - C)

DECEMBER 26, 2021, SUNDAY
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH (White)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 17

Reading I
Sir 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honor over his children;

    a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.

Whoever honors his father atones for sins,

    and preserves himself from them.

When he prays, he is heard;

    he stores up riches who reveres his mother.

Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,

    and, when he prays, is heard.

Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;

    he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;

    grieve him not as long as he lives.

Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;

    revile him not all the days of his life;

kindness to a father will not be forgotten,

    firmly planted against the debt of your sins

    —a house raised in justice to you.

OR:

1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28

In those days Hannah conceived, and at the end of her term bore a son

whom she called Samuel, since she had asked the LORD for him.

The next time her husband Elkanah was going up

with the rest of his household

to offer the customary sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vows,

Hannah did not go, explaining to her husband,

“Once the child is weaned,

I will take him to appear before the LORD

and to remain there forever;

I will offer him as a perpetual nazirite.”

Once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him up with her,

along with a three-year-old bull,

an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine,

and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh.

After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull,

Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said:

“Pardon, my lord!

As you live, my lord,

I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request.

Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;

as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”

Hannah left Samuel there.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.

R. (cf. 1)  Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,

   who walks in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;

   blessed shall you be, and favored.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

   in the recesses of your home;

your children like olive plants

   around your table.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Behold, thus is the man blessed

   who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion:

   may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

   all the days of your life.

R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

OR:

Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10.

R. (cf. 5a)  Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

    My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD.

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

Happy they who dwell in your house!

    Continually they praise you.

Happy the men whose strength you are!

    Their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage.

R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

O LORD of hosts, hear our prayer;

    hearken, O God of Jacob!

O God, behold our shield,

    and look upon the face of your anointed.

R. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

Reading II
Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 

if one has a grievance against another; 

as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

And over all these put on love, 

that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 

the peace into which you were also called in one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 

as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him.  

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, 

as is proper in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives, 

and avoid any bitterness toward them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, 

for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, 

so they may not become discouraged.

OR:

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

bearing with one another and forgiving one another, 

if one has a grievance against another; 

as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

And over all these put on love, 

that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, 

the peace into which you were also called in one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 

as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, 

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs 

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, 

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him.  

OR:

1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24

Beloved:

See what love the Father has bestowed on us

that we may be called the children of God.

And so we are.

The reason the world does not know us

is that it did not know him.

Beloved, we are God’s children now;

what we shall be has not yet been revealed.

We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,

for we shall see him as he is.

Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,

we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask,

because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

And his commandment is this:

we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,

and love one another just as he commanded us.

Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,

and the way we know that he remains in us

is from the Spirit he gave us.

Alleluia
Col 3:15a, 16a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

OR:

Cf. Acts 16:14b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Open our hearts, O Lord,

to listen to the words of your Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast

of Passover, 

and when he was twelve years old, 

they went up according to festival custom.

After they had completed its days, as they were returning, 

the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, 

but his parents did not know it.

Thinking that he was in the caravan,

they journeyed for a day

and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 

but not finding him,

they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the temple, 

sitting in the midst of the teachers, 

listening to them and asking them questions, 

and all who heard him were astounded 

at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him,

they were astonished, 

and his mother said to him, 

“Son, why have you done this to us?

Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”

And he said to them,

“Why were you looking for me?

Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

But they did not understand what he said to them.

He went down with them and came to Nazareth,

and was obedient to them; 

and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor

before God and man.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Like every other mother, Mary was the person who had the greatest influence on her son's heart. She taught him how to love, share, pray, be compassionate. She was the first to speak to him about God, and in her he could see these values come alive. Mary, shape and teach my heart to be as close to the heart of Jesus as your own heart was.

PRAYER:

Lord, today I remember all the missing children of our world through slavery, bonded labor and trafficking. I pray for their distraught parents who frantically seek for the child entrusted to them

SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS DAY - C)

DECEMBER 25, 2021 SATURDAY
SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS DAY) (White)
MASS DURING THE DAY
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 16

Reading I
Is 52:7-10

    How beautiful upon the mountains

        are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,

    announcing peace, bearing good news,

        announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,

        “Your God is King!”

    Hark!  Your sentinels raise a cry,

        together they shout for joy,

    for they see directly, before their eyes,

        the LORD restoring Zion.

    Break out together in song,

        O ruins of Jerusalem!

    For the LORD comforts his people,

        he redeems Jerusalem.

    The LORD has bared his holy arm

        in the sight of all the nations;

    all the ends of the earth will behold

        the salvation of our God.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6.

R. (3c)  All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

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. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,

   with the harp and melodious song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

   sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

Reading II
Heb 1:1-6

Brothers and sisters:

In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways 

    to our ancestors through the prophets; 

    in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, 

    whom he made heir of all things 

    and through whom he created the universe,

        who is the refulgence of his glory,

            the very imprint of his being,

        and who sustains all things by his mighty word.

        When he had accomplished purification from sins,

        he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

        as far superior to the angels

        as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

For to which of the angels did God ever say:

    You are my son; this day I have begotten you?

Or again:

    I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me?

And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says:

    Let all the angels of God worship him.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A holy day has dawned upon us.

Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.

For today a great light has come upon the earth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 1:1-18

    In the beginning was the Word,

        and the Word was with God,

        and the Word was God.

    He was in the beginning with God. 

    All things came to be through him,

        and without him nothing came to be.

    What came to be through him was life,

        and this life was the light of the human race;

    the light shines in the darkness,

        and the darkness has not overcome it.

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify to the light, 

so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light,

but came to testify to the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

    He was in the world,

        and the world came to be through him,

        but the world did not know him.

    He came to what was his own,

        but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him

he gave power to become children of God, 

to those who believe in his name, 

who were born not by natural generation 

nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision 

but of God.

    And the Word became flesh

        and made his dwelling among us,

        and we saw his glory,

        the glory as of the Father’s only Son,

        full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, 

“This was he of whom I said, 

‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me 

because he existed before me.’”

From his fullness we have all received,

grace in place of grace,

because while the law was given through Moses, 

grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God.

The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, 

has revealed him.

OR:

Jn 1:1-5, 9-14

    In the beginning was the Word,

        and the Word was with God,

        and the Word was God.

    He was in the beginning with God. 

    All things came to be through him,

        and without him nothing came to be.

    What came to be through him was life,

        and this life was the light of the human race;

    the light shines in the darkness,

        and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

    He was in the world,

        and the world came to be through him,

        but the world did not know him.

    He came to what was his own,

        but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him

he gave power to become children of God, 

to those who believe in his name, 

who were born not by natural generation 

nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision 

but of God.

    And the Word became flesh

        and made his dwelling among us,

        and we saw his glory,

        the glory as of the Father’s only Son,

        full of grace and truth.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

The Light of the World has come among us. He is born in the night, with his own star blazing above him. He lies in the dimness of a stable, that same Lord who, as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, led the Israelites to freedom. He has come to bring his people from darkness into light. As we gaze into the manger, at the tiny creature who is given to us as a light to the nations, we can only whisper ‘Come, let us adore him’.

PRAYER:

Lord, let me set aside some time today, to reflect back on how the light of your presence has impacted on my life during this past year. Let me be grateful and give thanks for all I have received from you directly and through the gift of other people.

The Birth Of Jesus (CHRISTMAS EVE - C)

DECEMBER 24, 2021 FRIDAY
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS EVE) - VIGIL MASS 
(White)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 13

Reading I
Is 62:1-5

    For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,

        for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,

    until her vindication shines forth like the dawn

        and her victory like a burning torch.

    Nations shall behold your vindication,

        and all the kings your glory;

    you shall be called by a new name

        pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.

    You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,

        a royal diadem held by your God.

    No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”

        or your land “Desolate,”

    but you shall be called “My Delight,”

        and your land “Espoused.”

    For the LORD delights in you

        and makes your land his spouse.

    As a young man marries a virgin,

        your Builder shall marry you;

    and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride

        so shall your God rejoice in you.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29.

R. (2a)  For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

   I have sworn to David my servant:

Forever will I confirm your posterity

   and establish your throne for all generations.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;

   in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.

At your name they rejoice all the day,

   and through your justice they are exalted.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

He shall say of me, “You are my father,

   my God, the rock, my savior.”

Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,

   and my covenant with him stands firm.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Reading II
Acts 13:16-17, 22-25

When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,

he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, 

“Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.

The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors 

and exalted the people during their sojourn in the

land of Egypt.

With uplifted arm he led them out of it.

Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;

of him he testified,

‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;

he will carry out my every wish.’

From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise, 

has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.

John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance 

to all the people of Israel; 

and as John was completing his course, he would say, 

‘What do you suppose that I am?  I am not he.

Behold, one is coming after me; 

I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Tomorrow the wickedness of the earth will be destroyed:

the Savior of the world will reign over us.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 1:1-25

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,

the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,

whose mother was Tamar.

Perez became the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram the father of Amminadab.

Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon the father of Boaz,

whose mother was Rahab.

Boaz became the father of Obed,

whose mother was Ruth.

Obed became the father of Jesse,

Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,

whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.

Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

Abijah the father of Asaph.

Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

Joram the father of Uzziah.

Uzziah became the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amos,

Amos the father of Josiah.

Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers

at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,

Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.

Abiud became the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor the father of Zadok.

Zadok became the father of Achim,

Achim the father of Eliud,

Eliud the father of Eleazar.

Eleazar became the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.

Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations

from Abraham to David

is fourteen generations;

from David to the Babylonian exile,

fourteen generations;

from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,

fourteen generations.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,

but before they lived together,

she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,

yet unwilling to expose her to shame,

decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph, son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit

that this child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill

what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

When Joseph awoke,

he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took his wife into his home.

He had no relations with her until she bore a son,

and he named him Jesus.

OR

MT 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,

but before they lived together,

she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,

yet unwilling to expose her to shame,

decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph, son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit

that this child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill

what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

When Joseph awoke,

he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took his wife into his home.

He had no relations with her until she bore a son,

and he named him Jesus.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Saint Joseph had a very important part in the birth of Christ. Our salvation depends on Mary’s obedience to the will of God. It also depends on Joseph’s. Our own obedience is very important too.

It all happened to fulfill what the prophets had foretold. God knows everything; plans everything. It is all for our good and we can accept it all in peace.

PRAYER:

We thank You Baby Jesus Christ for everything. For all the blessings and graces that you've showered for us not just for myself but also to our families & friends. In Your special day, let all of us do the honors to offer ourselves our praises and thanksgiving to celebrate with You in your birthday through the spirit of HOPE, PEACE, JOY & LOVE.