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.