FIRST
READING:
Isaiah 61:
1 - 2, 10 - 11
1
The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me:
he hath sent me to preach to the meek, to heal the contrite of heart,
and to preach a release to the captives, and deliverance to them that
are shut up.
2
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance
of our God: to comfort all that mourn:
10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my
God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation: and with
the robe of justice he hath covered me, as a bridegroom decked with a
crown, and as a bride adorned with her jewels.
11
For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth
her seed to shoot forth: so shall the Lord God make justice to spring
forth, and praise before all the nations.
PSALM:
Luke 1:
46 - 50, 53 - 54
46
And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord.
47
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48
Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold
from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49
Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is
his name.
50
And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear
him.
53
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent
empty away.
54
He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy.
SECOND
READING:
1 Thessalonians
5: 16 - 24
16
Always rejoice.
17
Pray without ceasing.
18
In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus concerning you all.
19
Extinguish not the spirit.
20
Despise not prophecies.
21
But prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22
From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves.
23
And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things; that
your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24
He is faithful who hath called you, who also will do it.
Alleluia:
Isaiah 61: 1
(Cited in Luke 4:
18)
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Wherefore
he hath anointed me
to
preach the gospel to the poor
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL:
John 1:
6 - 8, 19 - 28
6
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7
This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all
men might believe through him.
8
He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light.
19
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem
priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art thou?
20
And he confessed, and did not deny: and he confessed: I am not the
Christ.
21
And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not.
Art thou the prophet? And he answered: No.
22
They said therefore unto him: Who art thou, that we may give an
answer to them that sent us? What sayest thou of thyself?
23
He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make
straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.
24
And they that were sent, were of the Pharisees.
25
And they asked him, and said to him: Why then dost thou baptize, if
thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet?
26
John answered them, saying: I baptize with water; but there hath
stood one in the midst of you, whom you know not.
27
The same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me:
the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose.
28
These things were done in Bethania, beyond the Jordan, where John was
baptizing.
