Readings for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the BaptistReadings for the Vigil Reading I Isaiah 49:1-6 Hear me, O coastlands,             listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth,             from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword             and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow,             in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me,             Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain,             and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the LORD,             my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD has spoken             who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him             and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,             and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,             to raise up the tribes of Jacob,             and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations,             that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.   Responsorial Psalm Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15 R.        (14)  I praise you, for I am wonderfully made. O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:             you know when I sit and when I stand;             you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,             with all my ways you are familiar. R.        I praise you for I am wonderfully made. Truly you have formed my inmost being;             you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;             wonderful are your works. R.        I praise you, for I am wonderfully made. My soul also you knew full well;             nor was my frame unknown to you When I was made in secret,             when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. R.        I praise you, for I am wonderfully made. Reading II Acts 13:22-26 In those days, Paul said: “God raised up David as king; of him God 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.’ “My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.” Alleluia See Luke 1:76 R. Alleluia, alleluia. You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Luke 1:57-66, 80 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel. - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the BaptistReadings for the Mass during the Day Reading I Jeremiah 1:4-10 In the days of King Josiah, the word of the LORD came to me, saying:             Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,                         before you were born I dedicated you,                         a prophet to the nations I appointed you.             “Ah, Lord GOD!” I said,                         “I know not how to speak; I am too young.”             But the LORD answered me,             Say not, “I am too young.”                         To whomever I send you, you shall go;                         whatever I command you, you shall speak.             Have no fear before them,                         because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD. Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying,             See, I place my words in your mouth!                         This day I set you                         over nations and over kingdoms,             to root up and to tear down,                         to destroy and to demolish,                         to build and to plant. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17 R.        (6)  Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength. In you, O LORD, I take refuge;             let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;             incline your ear to me, and save me. R.        Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength. Be my rock of refuge,             a stronghold to give me safety,             for you are my rock and my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. R.        Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength. For you are my hope, O Lord;             my trust, O LORD, from my youth. On you I depend from birth;             from my mother’s womb you are my strength. R.        Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength. My mouth shall declare your justice,             day by day your salvation. O God, you have taught me from my youth,             and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. R.        Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength. Reading II 1 Peter 1:8-12 Beloved: Although you have not seen Jesus Christ you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it, investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when he testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. Alleluia See John 1:7; Luke 1:17 R. Alleluia, alleluia. He came to testify to the light, to prepare a people fit for the Lord. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Luke 1:5-17 In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. John will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn their hearts toward their children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1  2 Kings 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36 Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent envoys to Hezekiahwith this message: “Thus shall you say to Hezekiah, king of Judah:‘Do not let your God on whom you rely deceive youby saying that Jerusalem will not be handed overto the king of Assyria.You have heard what the kings of Assyria have doneto all other countries: they doomed them! Will you, then, be saved?’”Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it;then he went up to the temple of the LORD,and spreading it out before him,he prayed in the LORD’s presence:“O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned upon the cherubim!You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.You have made the heavens and the earth.Incline your ear, O LORD, and listen!Open your eyes, O LORD, and see!Hear the words of Sennacherib which he sent to taunt the living God.Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nationsand their lands, and cast their gods into the fire;they destroyed them because they were not gods,but the work of human hands, wood and stone.Therefore, O LORD, our God, save us from the power of this man,that all the kingdoms of the earth may knowthat you alone, O LORD, are God.”Then Isaiah, son of Amoz, sent this message to Hezekiah:“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,in answer to your prayer for help against Sennacherib, king of Assyria:I have listened!This is the word the LORD has spoken concerning him:“‘She despises you, laughs you to scorn,the virgin daughter Zion!Behind you she wags her head,daughter Jerusalem.“‘For out of Jerusalem shall come a remnant,and from Mount Zion, survivors.The zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.’“Therefore, thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria:‘He shall not reach this city, nor shoot an arrow at it,nor come before it with a shield,nor cast up siege-works against it.He shall return by the same way he came,without entering the city, says the LORD.I will shield and save this city for my own sake,and for the sake of my servant David.’”That night the angel of the LORD went forth and struck downone hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp.So Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, broke camp,and went back home to Nineveh. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 48:2-3Ab, 3cd-4, 10-11 R. (see 9d) God upholds his city for ever.Great is the LORD and wholly to be praisedin the city of our God.His holy mountain, fairest of heights,is the joy of all the earth.R. God upholds his city for ever.Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”is the city of the great King.God is with her castles;renowned is he as a stronghold.R. God upholds his city for ever.O God, we ponder your mercywithin your temple.As your name, O God, so also your praisereaches to the ends of the earth.Of justice your right hand is full.R. God upholds his city for ever. Alleluia  John 8:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will have the light of life.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel  Matthew 7:6, 12-14 Jesus said to his disciples:“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.This is the Law and the Prophets.“Enter through the narrow gate;for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,and those who enter through it are many.How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.And those who find it are few.” - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading I 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18 Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, occupied the whole landand attacked Samaria, which he besieged for three years.In the ninth year of Hoshea, king of Israelthe king of Assyria took Samaria,and deported the children of Israel to Assyria,setting them in Halah, at the Habor, a river of Gozan,and the cities of the Medes.This came about because the children of Israel sinned against the LORD,their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt,from under the domination of Pharaoh, king of Egypt,and because they venerated other gods.They followed the rites of the nationswhom the Lord had cleared out of the way of the children of Israeland the kings of Israel whom they set up.And though the LORD warned Israel and Judahby every prophet and seer,“Give up your evil ways and keep my commandments and statutes,in accordance with the entire law which I enjoined on your fathersand which I sent you by my servants the prophets,”they did not listen, but were as stiff-necked as their fathers,who had not believed in the LORD, their God.They rejected his statutes,the covenant which he had made with their fathers,and the warnings which he had given them, till,in his great anger against Israel,the LORD put them away out of his sight.Only the tribe of Judah was left. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 60:3, 4-5, 12-13 R. (7b) Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.O God, you have rejected us and broken our defenses;you have been angry; rally us!R. Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.You have rocked the country and split it open;repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.You have made your people feel hardships;you have given us stupefying wine.R. Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us.Have not you, O God, rejected us,so that you go not forth, O God, with our armies?Give us aid against the foe,for worthless is the help of men.R. Help us with your right hand, O Lord, and answer us. Alleluia Hebrews 4:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The word of God is living and effective,able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus said to his disciples:“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.For as you judge, so will you be judged,and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?How can you say to your brother,‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’while the wooden beam is in your eye?You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first;then you will see clearlyto remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.” Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint John Fisher, Bishop and Saint Thomas More, MartyrsReadings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop - - - Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.