SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

Theme: Mary, Mother of God

 

1^st Reading: Numbers, chapter 6: 22-27

When God asked that his people be blessed with the words we are about to hear, he also intended that his name should thus be invoked upon all of us.

 

2^nd Reading: Galatians, chapter 4: 4-7

Because of Mother Mary's unique role, God freed us from sin and made us his sons so that we could share in his glorious kingdom.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, chapter 2: 16-21

The shepherds saw the baby Jesus lying in a manger and set off to spread the word about this wonderful child. We, too, have heard the Good News, and, like Mary, we must prayerfully reflect upon it in our hearts.

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Theme: Family life

 

1^st Reading: 1 Samuel, chapter 1:20-22, 24-28

God’s gift to Hannah, Samuel, turned out to be Hannah’s gift to God. Children are a gift that sustains a family’s lineage, in much the same way that our way of raising them should be the legacy that fulfills God’s purpose for the family.  

 

2nd Reading: 1^st Letter of John, chapter 3: 1-2. 21-24

We are members of God’s family and thus share his Spirit. We remain in this family as long as we play by the divine rules of belief in Christ, obedience to his will, and love for one another.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, chapter 2:41-52

Joseph and Mary did not understand why Jesus chose to stay behind in Jerusalem. Jesus, for his part, did not understand why his earthly parents should worry about him. For our part, we should strive to accept the mystery of Christ’s special mission with unwavering faith.

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS DAY)

Theme: God’s word made flesh

 

1^st Reading: Isaiah, chapter 52: 7-10

From the ruins of the Temple, God’s people rejoice. They rejoice because they see God restoring Jerusalem. We rejoice because God is restoring our dignity by sending us the Saviour.

 

2^nd Reading: Hebrews, chapter 1: 1-6

God used to speak to his people through a variety of channels. Now, he speaks to us through his son, Jesus Christ.

 

Gospel Reading: John, chapter 1: 1-18

Jesus was present as the Word, during the Creation. In fact, everything was made through him, and for him. He is the Word of God, and the light, that dispels the darkness around us.

CHRISTMAS VIGIL

Theme: God cares

1^st Reading: Isaiah, chapter 62: 1-5

God says that he would not remain aloof while Jerusalem, or his beloved people, suffer. We shall experience the goodness of the Lord in his extra tender and loving care.

 

2^nd Reading: The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 13: 16-17, 22-25

St Paul recounts a bit of salvation history by telling his audience how God saved their ancestors in the past. God continues to save us as well, through his son, Jesus Christ.

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew, chapter 1: 1-25

St Matthew traces the genealogy of Christ, to emphasize that even though the Lord is one of us by human birth, Jesus is the being through whom God became man in order to save us. 

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C

Theme: Faith and obedience of Mary to be followed 

 

1^st Reading Micah, chapter 5:1-4a

The prophecy of Micah traces the origin of the Messiah from an eternal source, through his birth in Bethlehem, to his reign of peace on earth.

 

2^nd Reading Hebrews, chapter 10:5-10

Jesus replaced the early sacrifice, the sacrifice of animals, with the sacrifice of his own body, a sacrifice that is pleasing to God. This was done according to God’s will, which our Lord came to fulfill.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, chapter 1:39-45

Mary’s focus and commitment to the goal of bearing the Messiah earned her the title “Blessed.” If we also trust that the Lord’s words to us, especially about the coming of the Saviour would be fulfilled, then we also shall be blessed.

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C

Theme “God is indeed my Saviour; I am confident and unafraid (Isaiah, 12:3)

 

1^st Reading: Zephaniah, chapter. 3: 14a-18

This scripture invites all God’s people to rejoice and be glad, because the Lord is among us, and has delivered us from our foes.

 

2^nd Reading: Philippians, chapter 4: 4-7

St Paul offers a morale booster for our preparation to meet the Lord: we are to remain in a joyful and grateful mode, confident that the Lord will take care of our concerns.

 

Gospel Reading Luke, chapter 3: 10-18

All the people who heeded John’s call to be baptized were anxious to know what to do next.  Now that John has told us the nature of the Messiah, it is up to us to search our hearts in anticipation of what the Lord requires of us.

2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C

Theme: All mankind shall see the salvation of God 

 

 1^st Reading: Baruch, chapter 5:1-9

This scripture invites all who are downcast or gloomy to look up and enjoy the favours that God is pouring upon them.  For a people who were led into exile, the day to liberation is indeed a day of glory.

 

2^nd Reading: Philippians, chapter 1:4-6, 8-11

Paul is confident that the Lord, who has called us unto himself, will ensure that the mindset of good discipleship that he has implanted in us will remain intact till the end of time.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, chapter 3:1-6

The message of John the Baptist is straight to the point. Repentance calls for a complete change of attitude, so that we, the faithful, could position ourselves to welcome our Saviour.

1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C

Theme: “By patient endurance, you will save your lives” (Luke 21:19) 

 

1^st Reading: Jeremiah, chapter 33:14-16

The Lord makes a firm promise to a people in exile that at the appropriate time, he will restore David’s kingdom with a Messiah who would defend and protect his people.

 

2^nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians, chapter 3:12-4:2 

St Paul’s prayer is that the congregation at Thessalonica and all the faithful, for that matter, would resolve to continue in their Christian way of life until the second coming of Christ.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, chapter 21:25-28, 34-36

Jesus Christ speaks of the harsh times that will precede his second coming.  He cautions us not to be conceited nor give in to worldly things.  In other words, we should not lose our guard.

SOLEMNITY OF CHIRST, THE KING YEAR B

Theme: God’s reign in the process of being established.

 

1^st Reading: Daniel, chapter 7: 13-14

Daniels’s vision of the honours accorded the one whom we all acknowledge as the Son of God, underscores the universal and eternal kingship of Jesus Christ.

 

2^nd Reading: Revelation, chapter 1: 5-8

This scripture seeks to encourage all the faithful that at the end of time, all of us shall behold our Saviour, Jesus Christ, as he comes in glory.

 

Gospel Reading: John, chapter 18: 33b-37

Jesus reveals the source of his kingship, as well as the purpose of his coming into the world. The kingship of our Messiah is to prove that truth can not be disputed.

33RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

Theme: Hope for a better future.

 

1^st Reading: Daniel, chapter 12:1-3

Daniel’s prophecy describes the last days, which would be a period of extreme hardship. God will however send a deliverer to protect his people. The prophecy is therefore a message of hope for those who place their trust in the Lord.

 

2^nd Reading: Hebrews, chapter 10: 11-14, 18

St. Paul writes that Jesus’ sacrifice is the only sacrifice that takes away sins. Our Lord’s sacrifice therefore supersedes all others sacrifices. Christ, our Saviour, shares power with God, and this fact should give hope to all believers.

 

Gospel Reading: Mark, chapter 13: 24-32

Jesus describes the terrible events that will precede the end times, and how everybody will witness his glorious second coming. Our Lord requires us to observe the signs of the times, and not to speculate on the exact day of his coming.

32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

Theme: Self-giving to God.

 

1^st Reading:  Kings, chapter 17: 10-16

By the example of the widow of Zarephath, we learn that when we generously give of ourselves, no matter how little, our gift is precious in God’s eye. It shall not go unrewarded.

 

2^nd Reading: Hebrews, chapter 9: 24-28

St Paul places Christ’s sacrifice in its proper context: the context of Christ himself, as High Priest, entering the heavenly sanctuary with his own blood, his very life, as atonement for the sins of all mankind.

 

Gospel Reading: Mark, chapter 12: 38-44

The poor widow gave to God all that she had, out of generosity. Jesus commends this kind of self-giving, and cautions us against actions that are done only to attract attention.

31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

Theme: Two loves not to be separated.

 

1^st Reading: Deuteronomy, chapter 6: 2-6

Keeping the commandments of God, and paying him all due respect is the foundation of long life, prosperity and our very existence.

 

2^nd Reading: Hebrews, chapter 7: 23-28

In this scripture, St Paul compares the functions of the Jewish High Priests, which were limited by their physical infirmities, to Jesus, the divine and eternal High Priest, whose sacrifice was made once, and for all mankind.

 

Gospel Reading: Mark, chapter 12: 28b-34

Love of neighbour cannot be separated from love of God; the two go hand-in-hand, reinforcing each other and resulting in a kind of love everlasting that is pleasing to God.

THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS)

Theme: For faithful people life is changed, not ended.

 

1st Reading: Wisdom, chapter 3: 1 - 9

Scripture paints a picture of unsurpassed peace and unparalleled bliss of the hereafter. Even though the world thinks our passing away is for the worse, these verses should strengthen our faith in what God our Creator has in store for us.

 

2nd Reading: Romans, chapter 5: 5 - 11

This scripture teaches that salvation is God’s own initiative that is meant to show us how much he loves us, though we are unworthy of his saving grace.

 

OR

 

Romans, chapter 6: 3 - 9

Our baptism into Christ ushers us into a life that is dead to sin, but alive in Christ. Sin’s power over us is broken, and so we should see ourselves as sharing a new life with Christ, the Messiah.

 

Gospel Reading: John, chapter 6: 37 - 40

We hear the reassuring promise that God wants all of us to be saved. Nobody who turns to our Lord will be rejected. And because of his meritorious death and resurrection, Jesus has the power to raise us up, to an everlasting life with him.

ALL SAINTS DAY

Theme: Our communion with the Saints.

 

1^st Reading: Revelation, chapter 7: 2-4, 9-14

Scripture says that the saints, from Israel and the other nations of the world, were too numerous to be counted! The good news is that God has made it possible for us also to worship before his heavenly throne.

 

2^nd Reading: 1 John, chapter 3: 1-3

Followers of Christ, no doubt, go through times of peril. The soothing words of scripture assure us that like the saints, our hope of meeting our Maker will, indeed, become a reality.

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew, chapter 5: 1-12a

The Beatitudes or “Beautiful Attitudes” summarise the nature of Christ. The saints pursued these ideals. We, also, are expected to adopt same for our salvation.