Catholic Church Readings for January 17, 2021: Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 17, 2021: Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 65

Reading I

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD

where the ark of God was.

The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”

Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am.  You called me.”

“I did not call you, “  Eli said.  “Go back to sleep.”

So he went back to sleep.

Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.

“Here I am, “ he said.  “You called me.”

But Eli answered, “I did not call you, my son.  Go back to sleep.”

At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD,

because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.

The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time.

Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am.  You called me.”

Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.

So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,

Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”

When Samuel went to sleep in his place,

the LORD came and revealed his presence,

calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”

Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,

not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I have waited, waited for the LORD,

    and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.

And he put a new song into my mouth,

    a hymn to our God. 

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or offering you wished not,

    but ears open to obedience you gave me.

Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;

    then said I, “Behold I come.”

R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,

to do your will, O my God, is my delight,

    and your law is within my heart!”

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;

    I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Reading II

1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20

Brothers and sisters:

The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord,

and the Lord is for the body;

God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?

But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.

Avoid immorality.

Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,

but the immoral person sins against his own body.

Do you not know that your body

is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,

whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

For you have been purchased at a price.

Therefore glorify God in your body. 

 

Alleluia

Jn 1:41, 17b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

We have found the Messiah:

Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel

Jn 1:35-42

John was standing with two of his disciples,

and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,

“Behold, the Lamb of God.”

The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,

“What are you looking for?”

They said to him, “Rabbi” — which translated means Teacher —,

“where are you staying?”

He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”

So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,

and they stayed with him that day.

It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,

was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.

He first found his own brother Simon and told him,

“We have found the Messiah” — which is translated Christ —.

Then he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said,

“You are Simon the son of John;

you will be called Cephas” — which is translated Peter.

Catholic Church Readings for January 16, 2021: Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 16, 2021: Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 310

Reading I

Heb 4:12-16

The word of God is living and effective,

sharper than any two-edged sword,

penetrating even between soul and spirit,

joints and marrow,

and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

No creature is concealed from him,

but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him

to whom we must render an account.

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,     

Jesus, the Son of God,

let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest

who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,

but one who has similarly been tested in every way,

yet without sin.

So let us confidently approach the throne of grace

to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Responsorial Psalm

19:8, 9, 10, 15

R.    (see John 6:63c)  Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

    refreshing the soul;

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,

    giving wisdom to the simple.

R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

    rejoicing the heart;

The command of the LORD is clear,

    enlightening the eye.

R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

    enduring forever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true,

    all of them just.

R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart

    find favor before you,

    O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

R.    Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Alleluia

Lk 4:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor

and to proclaim liberty to captives.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 2:13-17

Jesus went out along the sea.

All the crowd came to him and he taught them.

As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,

sitting at the customs post.

Jesus said to him, “Follow me.”

And he got up and followed Jesus.

While he was at table in his house,

many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples;

for there were many who followed him.

Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners

and tax collectors and said to his disciples,

“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 

Jesus heard this and said to them,

“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Catholic Church Readings for January 15, 2021: Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 15, 2021: Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 309

Reading I

Heb 4:1-5, 11

Let us be on our guard

while the promise of entering into his rest remains,

that none of you seem to have failed.

For in fact we have received the Good News just as our ancestors did.

But the word that they heard did not profit them,

for they were not united in faith with those who listened.

For we who believed enter into that rest,

just as he has said:

As I swore in my wrath,    

“They shall not enter into my rest,”

and yet his works were accomplished

at the foundation of the world.

For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner,

And God rested on the seventh day from all his works;

and again, in the previously mentioned place,

They shall not enter into my rest. 

Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest,

so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.

 

Responsorial Psalm

78:3 and 4bc, 6c-7, 8

R.    (see 7b)  Do not forget the works of the Lord!

What we have heard and know,

and what our fathers have declared to us,

we will declare to the generation to come

The glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength.

R.    Do not forget the works of the Lord!

That they too may rise and declare to their sons

that they should put their hope in God,

And not forget the deeds of God

but keep his commands.

R.    Do not forget the works of the Lord!

And not be like their fathers,

a generation wayward and rebellious,

A generation that kept not its heart steadfast

nor its spirit faithful toward God.

R.    Do not forget the works of the Lord!

 

Alleluia

Lk 7:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A great prophet has arisen in our midst

and God has visited his people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel

Mk 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days,

it became known that he was at home.

Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,

not even around the door,

and he preached the word to them.

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,

they opened up the roof above him.

After they had broken through,

they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him,

“Child, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,

“Why does this man speak that way?  He is blaspheming.

Who but God alone can forgive sins?”

Jesus immediately knew in his mind what 

they were thinking to themselves, 

so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,

‘Your sins are forgiven,’

or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?

But that you may know

that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”

–he said to the paralytic,

“I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.”

He rose, picked up his mat at once, 

and went away in the sight of everyone.

They were all astounded

and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

Pope's motu proprio concerning women lectors and acolytes big mistake in my opinion

Pope Francis changed canon law 230. Here are the details (from Vatican News article):

With the Motu proprio Spiritus Domini, which modifies the first paragraph of Canon 230 of the Code of Canon Law, Pope Francis, therefore, establishes that women can have access to these ministries and that this be recognized through a liturgical act formally instituting them as such.

As we all know, we've had women lectors and acolytes for quite some time. Lectors are people who read at Mass and acolytes are people who assist at the altar. The change that Pope Francis is making is to allow women to have these roles in a more permanent form, rather than in the current situation where they are seen as temporary by necessity.

In my humble opinion, this is a very imprudent move by the pope. Sadly, I feel most of his decisions are. I'm sure he is attempting to make the Church more welcoming or modern or to appeal to non-Catholics, but it is doing none of those things.

The problem comes in that we are living in a time of great confusion and heresy. Many Catholics still cling to hope that women will one day be allowed to become priests, something which Pope John Paul II pointed out is impossible. Doing so would be a violation of an infallible teaching of the Church since the time of the apostles.

Of course, that is not what Pope Francis is attempting to do here. However, in this time of confusion and uncertainty, doing something like this exacerbates the situation. To the average Catholic and non-Catholic alike, this represents a step towards women priests and bishops. It further creates division in the Church and does the opposite of solidify a Church doctrine.

In my opinion, allowing a permanent role of acolyte or lector for women in a different era might work. I don't know all the implications, but in a time without as much dissent and opposition, people would recognize the role for what it is and would not associate it with the priesthood. These days, because people are so poorly catechized, this is not clear. It undermines an important teaching.

Serving at the altar really should only be men. Christ chose 12 apostles who were all men despite having women whom he could have selected. This has never changed throughout all the centuries of the Church. Although not strictly prohibited, having women serve on the altar in a permanent way takes away from the understanding that Christ is a man who chose men as apostles and as sacramental priests.

On top of this, many boys who see holy men celebrating Mass are drawn to become men themselves and they explore their vocation because of this. Having various men and women on the altar does not emphasize the uniquely masculine role taking place.

In short, I think this is a bad idea particularly now.

Catholic Church Readings for January 14, 2021: Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 14, 2021: Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 308

Reading I

Heb 3:7-14

The Holy Spirit says:

    Oh, that today you would hear his voice,

        “Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion

        in the day of testing in the desert,

    where your ancestors tested and tried me

        and saw my works for forty years.

    Because of this I was provoked with that generation

        and I said, ‘They have always been of erring heart,

        and they do not know my ways.’

    As I swore in my wrath,

        ‘They shall not enter into my rest.’”

Take care, brothers and sisters,

that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart,

so as to forsake the living God.

Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,”

so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.

We have become partners of Christ

if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end.

Responsorial Psalm

95:6-7c, 8-9, 10-11

R.    (8)  If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;

    let us kneel before the LORD who made us.

For he is our God,

    and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

R.    If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:

    “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

    as in the day of Massah in the desert,

Where your fathers tempted me;

    they tested me though they had seen my works.” 

R.    If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Forty years I was wearied of that generation;

    I said: “This people’s heart goes astray,

    they do not know my ways.”

Therefore I swore in my anger:

    “They shall never enter my rest.”

R.    If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Alleluia

See Mt 4:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom

and cured every disease among the people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 1:40-45

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said,

“If you wish, you can make me clean.”

Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,

touched the leper, and said to him, 

“I do will it. Be made clean.”

The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.

Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.

Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything,

but go, show yourself to the priest

and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;

that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.

He spread the report abroad

so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.

He remained outside in deserted places,

and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Church Announcement: Covid or Catholic?

Every single day that I attend Mass I hear the same, elaborate detailed message regarding Covid-19. Not one, but two in fact. Every single action of the laity is described in excruciating detail to ensure 100% compliance with all Covid regulation. Yet, little if any attention whatsoever is given to God-given Church law concerning the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. I have spoke about this previously. Yesterday, I was listening to a great talk by a holy priest and prior to his homily, he gave instruction, but not in service of Covid, but in service to God. It was quite refreshing.

As mentioned, each and every time I attend Mass, we are inundated with Covid regulation. The second you step inside the designated door, you are greeted by a team of Covid-tracers, people who take your full name, phone number, and ensure you answer correctly to Covid-related questions. You are then given a small piece of green tape which you must stick to your seat so that cleaners know which seats to decontaminate after Mass.

During the opening announcements, we are told the following each day:

Welcome.....

We pray that you are in good health.

We ask that all present respect the instructions given by our ushers and the guidelines in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including using hand sanitizers, maintaining a distance of 2 meters, and wearing face masks when entering, leaving, or moving within the church. We will not have a collection at this Mass, but there are collection boxes provided for you at the entrance and the exit of the church. Thank you for supporting our parish. At the time of communion, we will give you further instructions. At the end of Mass, we ask you to exit through the doors through which you entered the church.

Then right before communion, we get this message:

To ensure that the reception of Holy Communion takes place in a safe and respectful manner, we ask that you please following these instructions:

• Instead of individually replying "Amen" upon receiving the Host, there will be one general attestation of Amen before distribution begins.
• Please remain standing in your pew until invited forward by an usher.
• Ensure your facemask is correctly worn before coming forward and maintain a 2 meter social distance in the communion line.
• As you approach the front of the line, sanitize your hands before receiving communion, bow before the Host, in silence receive the host in your hand, step aside to consume the Host, return to your pew as directed by ushers.
• Those unable to receive Holy Communion in the hand, may come forward to receive a blessing.

Yes, the message is actually that long. During the multi-minute messages during a 30-minute Mass, there is never even the slightest mention of far more important qualifications to receive communion. I have talked about this before. Yesterday, however, I found a homily on Youtube in which the priest in fact does go through the important aspects of the reception of communion.

His message was perfectly balanced, speaking almost exclusively of the spiritual requirements for worthy reception of the Eucharist. The video is linked below, but in brief, he mentioned the following:

Holy Communion should only be received by practicing Catholics. He goes on to say this means people who attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and are living by the moral laws of the Church meaning you have no serious sin which has not been absolved by sacramental confession.

He then proceeds to explain why as he says "in the old rite", you do not say "Amen" when receiving communion. He says this practice is not really Catholic in that it can imply that our assent brings about the Real Presence, which is not a Catholic idea. He said the priest brings about transubstantiation, and our assent is not required. A very interesting point which I did not know.

He goes into detail about the mechanics of receiving the Eucharist such as placing one's tongue out far enough for the Host to be placed there correctly and to close one's eyes when receiving. He even goes on to speak about one's role in the traditional Mass with regards to saying the lines out loud, etc.

All of this advice is highly valuable and probably needed, at least from time to time, if not at every Mass. Yet we never hear these things.

Why are churches so gung-ho and careful about ensuring they following every tiny little detail of random Covid regulations and very lax about legitimate moral issues surrounding the worthy reception of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord? In fact, most of the announcements and specifications are made up by the parish itself. There are basic guidelines issued by the government, but in many cases such as the one above, the church voluntarily chose to have that many announcements to ensure compliance.

I want to say I am not criticizing anyone involved in carrying out tasks associated with Covid compliance. I am simply saying if we can have detailed Covid announcements, we can have spiritual reminders as well.

Catholic Church Readings for January 13, 2021: Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 13, 2021: Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 307

Reading I

Heb 2:14-18

Since the children share in blood and Flesh,

Jesus likewise shared in them,

that through death he might destroy the one

who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,

and free those who through fear of death

had been subject to slavery all their life.

Surely he did not help angels

but rather the descendants of Abraham;

therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,    

that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God

to expiate the sins of the people.

Because he himself was tested through what he suffered,

he is able to help those who are being tested.

Responsorial Psalm

105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;

    make known among the nations his deeds.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

    proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Glory in his holy name;

    rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!

Look to the LORD in his strength;

    seek to serve him constantly.

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,

    sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He, the LORD, is our God;

    throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

He remembers forever his covenant

    which he made binding for a thousand generations-- 

Which he entered into with Abraham

    and by his oath to Isaac. 

R.    (8a)  The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Alleluia

Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord.

I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 1:29-39

On leaving the synagogue

Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.

Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.

They immediately told him about her.

He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.

Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset,

they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.

The whole town was gathered at the door.

He cured many who were sick with various diseases,

and he drove out many demons,

not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, 

he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

Simon and those who were with him pursued him

and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages

that I may preach there also.

For this purpose have I come.”

So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons 

throughout the whole of Galilee.

Catholic Church Readings for January 12, 2021: Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 12, 2021: Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 306

Reading I

Heb 2:5-12

It was not to angels that God subjected the world to come,

of which we are speaking.

Instead, someone has testified somewhere:

    What is man that you are mindful of him,

        or the son of man that you care for him?

    You made him for a little while lower than the angels;

        you crowned him with glory and honor,

        subjecting all things under his feet.

In “subjecting” all things to him,

he left nothing not “subject to him.”

Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,” 

but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor”

because he suffered death,

he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,”

that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting that he,

for whom and through whom all things exist,

in bringing many children to glory,

should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.

He who consecrates

and those who are being consecrated all have one origin.

Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers” saying: 

    I will proclaim your name to my brethren,

    in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.

Responsorial Psalm

8:2ab and 5, 6-7, 8-9

R.    (see 7) You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

O LORD, our Lord,

    how glorious is your name over all the earth!

What is man that you should be mindful of him,

    or the son of man that you should care for him?

R.    You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

You have made him little less than the angels,

    and crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him rule over the works of your hands,

    putting all things under his feet.

R.    You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

All sheep and oxen,

    yes, and the beasts of the field,

The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,

    and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

R.    You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.

Alleluia

See 1 Thes 2:13

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Receive the word of God, not as the word of men,

but as it truly is, the word of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, 

and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.

The people were astonished at his teaching,

for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;

he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Have you come to destroy us?

I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” 

Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!”

The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

All were amazed and asked one another,

“What is this?

A new teaching with authority.

He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”

His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Back to plain old "Ordinary" time....or are we?

There is some confusion as to what the term ordinary time means in the Catholic Church. I think I always assumed, and many still do, that it means nothing "extraordinary" is happening. But that's not really accurate. In fact, when the Church calls the period of time "Ordinary", it simply refers to ordinal numerals.

According to Wikipedia:

In linguistics, ordinal numerals or ordinal number words are words representing position or rank in a sequential order; the order may be of size, importance, chronology, and so on (e.g., "third", "tertiary"). They differ from cardinal numerals, which represent quantity (e.g., "three") and other types of numerals.

The other type of numbers are called cardinal numerals which would be used for things like quantities and amounts. So it makes sense that the weeks are numbered in the Church this way.

Today, Monday, January 11, 2021, is called the first day of Ordinary Time. We have begun a new season. Something I cannot seem to explain is that although today is the first day of ordinary time according to the calendar, it also says that this coming Sunday, on January 17, is the "second Sunday of Ordinary Time". Very confusing. If today is the first day of Ordinary time, that would mean yesterday was presumably not included.

In fact, yesterday is the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord. According to the calendar and the archbishop this morning, today is the first day of the liturgical new year, and therefore yesterday would not be included. I am very confused. If anyone knows what is going on, please let me know.

The basic idea behind ordinary time is that there are two major periods in the Christian calendar: Christmas and Easter. We prepare for these two major periods with Advent and Lent, respectively. Ordinary time is basically the period of time outside of these. The longest period of continual Ordinary Time is between the end of Eastertide and the beginning of Advent which in 2021 will be approximately 188 days, depending on how it's supposed to be calculated. In other words, more than half the year.

It's important to note that all Masses are equally important and extraordinary in that sense since the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Savior comes to us at those times. Also, even during ordinary time, there are major solemnities, feasts, etc. 

Catholic Church Readings for January 11, 2021: Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Catholic Church Readings for January 11, 2021: Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 305

Reading I

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 spoke 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 first born into the world, he says:

    Let all the angels of God worship him.

Responsorial Psalm

97:1 and 2b, 6 and 7c, 9

R.    (see 7c) Let all his angels worship him.

The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;

    let the many isles be glad.

    Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. 

R.    Let all his angels worship him.

The heavens proclaim his justice,

    and all peoples see his glory.

Let all his angels worship him.

R.    Let all his angels worship him.

Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,

    exalted far above all gods.

R.    Let all his angels worship him.

Alleluia

Mk 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Kingdom of God is at hand;

repent and believe in the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 1:14-20

After John had been arrested,

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God:

“This is the time of fulfillment.

The Kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,

he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;

they were fishermen.

Jesus said to them,

“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Then they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along a little farther

and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

They too were in a boat mending their nets.

Then he called them.

So they left their father Zebedee in the boat

along with the hired men and followed him.

Catholic Church Readings for January 10, 2021: The Baptism of Our Lord

Catholic Church Readings for January 10, 2021: The Baptism of Our Lord

The Baptism of the Lord

Lectionary: 21

Reading I

Is 42:1-4, 6-7

Thus says the LORD:

Here is my servant whom I uphold,

my chosen one with whom I am pleased,

upon whom I have put my spirit;

he shall bring forth justice to the nations,

not crying out, not shouting,

not making his voice heard in the street.

a bruised reed he shall not break,

and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,

until he establishes justice on the earth;

the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,

I have grasped you by the hand;

I formed you, and set you

as a covenant of the people,

a light for the nations,

to open the eyes of the blind,

to bring out prisoners from confinement,

and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

OR:

Is 55:1-11

Thus says the LORD:

All you who are thirsty,

come to the water!

You who have no money,

come, receive grain and eat;

come, without paying and without cost,

drink wine and milk!

Why spend your money for what is not bread,

your wages for what fails to satisfy?

Heed me, and you shall eat well,

you shall delight in rich fare.

Come to me heedfully,

listen, that you may have life.

I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,

the benefits assured to David.

As I made him a witness to the peoples,

a leader and commander of nations,

so shall you summon a nation you knew not,

and nations that knew you not shall run to you,

because of the LORD, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found,

call him while he is near.

Let the scoundrel forsake his way,

and the wicked man his thoughts;

let him turn to the LORD for mercy;

to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.

As high as the heavens are above the earth 

so high are my ways above your ways

and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens

the rain and snow come down

and do not return there

till they have watered the earth,

making it fertile and fruitful,

giving seed to the one who sows

and bread to the one who eats,

so shall my word be

that goes forth from my mouth;

my word shall not return to me void,

but shall do my will,

achieving the end for which I sent it.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

R. (11b)  The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God,

    give to the LORD glory and praise,

Give to the LORD the glory due his name;

    adore the LORD in holy attire.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters,

    the LORD, over vast waters.

The voice of the LORD is mighty;

    the voice of the LORD is majestic. 

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders,

    and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

The LORD is enthroned above the flood;

    the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

OR:

Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

R. (3)  You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior;

    I am confident and unafraid.

My strength and my courage is the LORD,

    and he has been my savior.

With joy you will draw water

    at the fountain of salvation.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;

    among the nations make known his deeds,

      proclaim how exalted is his name.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;

    let this be known throughout all the earth.

Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,

    for great in your midst

    is the Holy One of Israel!

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Reading II

Acts 10:34-38

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered

in the house of Cornelius, saying: 

“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.

Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly

is acceptable to him.

You know the word that he sent to the Israelites 

as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, 

what has happened all over Judea, 

beginning in Galilee after the baptism

that John preached, 

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth

with the Holy Spirit and power.

He went about doing good 

and healing all those oppressed by the devil, 

for God was with him.”

OR:

1 Jn 5:1-9

Beloved:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,

and everyone who loves the Father

loves also the one begotten by him.

In this way we know that we love the children of God

when we love God and obey his commandments.

For the love of God is this,

that we keep his commandments.

And his commandments are not burdensome,

for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.

And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.

Who indeed is the victor over the world

but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,

not by water alone, but by water and blood.

The Spirit is the one who testifies,

and the Spirit is truth.

So there are three that testify,

the Spirit, the water, and the blood,

and the three are of one accord.

If we accept human testimony,

the testimony of God is surely greater.

Now the testimony of God is this,

that he has testified on behalf of his Son.

Alleluia

Cf. Jn 1:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

John saw Jesus approaching him, and said:

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: 

“One mightier than I is coming after me.

I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.

I have baptized you with water; 

he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee 

and was baptized in the Jordan by John.

On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open 

and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens, 

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Catholic Church Readings for January 9, 2021: Saturday after Epiphany

Catholic Church Readings for January 9, 2021: Saturday after Epiphany

Saturday after Epiphany

Lectionary: 217

Reading I

1 Jn 5:14-21

Beloved:

We have this confidence in him

that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 

And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask,

we know that what we have asked him for is ours. 

If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly,

he should pray to God and he will give him life. 

This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. 

There is such a thing as deadly sin,

about which I do not say that you should pray. 

All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.

We know that anyone begotten by God does not sin;

but the one begotten by God he protects,

and the Evil One cannot touch him. 

We know that we belong to God,

and the whole world is under the power of the Evil One. 

We also know that the Son of God has come

and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. 

And we are in the one who is true,

in his Son Jesus Christ. 

He is the true God and eternal life. 

Children, be on your guard against idols.

Responsorial Psalm

149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

R.    (see 4a)  The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Sing to the LORD a new song

    of praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel be glad in their maker,

    let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

R.    (see 4a)  The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Let them praise his name in the festive dance,

    let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

For the LORD loves his people,

    and he adorns the lowly with victory.

R.    (see 4a)  The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Let the faithful exult in glory;

    let them sing for joy upon their couches;

Let the high praises of God be in their throats.

    This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.

R.    (see 4a)  The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.    Alleluia.

Alleluia

Mt 4:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,

on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death

light has arisen.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jn 3:22-30

Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea,

where he spent some time with them baptizing. 

John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,

because there was an abundance of water there,

and people came to be baptized,

for John had not yet been imprisoned. 

Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew

about ceremonial washings. 

So they came to John and said to him,

“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan,

to whom you testified,

here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”

John answered and said,

“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. 

You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,

but that I was sent before him. 

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;

the best man, who stands and listens for him,

rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. 

So this joy of mine has been made complete. 

He must increase; I must decrease.”