Reading 1 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Stephen, filled with grace and power,was working great wonders and signs among the people.Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,and people from Cilicia and Asia,came forward and debated with Stephen,but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.When they heard this, they were infuriated,and they ground their teeth at him.But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,looked up intently to heavenand saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,and he said,"Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Manstanding at the right hand of God."But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,and rushed upon him together.They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.The witnesses laid down their cloaksat the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Responsorial Psalm Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17 R. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.Be my rock of refuge,a stronghold to give me safety.You are my rock and my fortress;for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.Into your hands I commend my spirit;you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.Let your face shine upon your servant;save me in your kindness.R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Alleluia Ps 118:26a, 27a R. Alleluia, alleluia.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD:the LORD is God and has given us light.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 10:17-22 Jesus said to his disciples:"Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courtsand scourge you in their synagogues,and you will be led before governors and kings for my sakeas a witness before them and the pagans.When they hand you over,do not worry about how you are to speakor what you are to say.You will be given at that moment what you are to say.For it will not be you who speakbut the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.Brother will hand over brother to death,and the father his child;children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.You will be hated by all because of my name,but whoever endures to the end will be saved." - - -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 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Readings for the Vigil MassReadings for the Mass at DawnReadings for the Mass during the DayReading I Is 9:1-6     The people who walked in darkness         have seen a great light;     upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom         a light has shone.     You have brought them abundant joy         and great rejoicing,     as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,         as people make merry when dividing spoils.     For the yoke that burdened them,         the pole on their shoulder,     and the rod of their taskmaster         you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.     For every boot that tramped in battle,         every cloak rolled in blood,         will be burned as fuel for flames.     For a child is born to us, a son is given us;         upon his shoulder dominion rests.     They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,         Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.     His dominion is vast         and forever peaceful,     from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,         which he confirms and sustains     by judgment and justice,         both now and forever.     The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this! Responsorial Psalm Ps 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13. R. (Lk 2:11)  Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. Sing to the LORD a new song;    sing to the LORD, all you lands. Sing to the LORD; bless his name. R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. Announce his salvation, day after day.     Tell his glory among the nations;     among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;    let the sea and what fills it resound;    let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult. R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;    for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice    and the peoples with his constancy. R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. Reading II Ti 2:11-14 Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires  and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,  as we await the blessed hope,  the appearance of the glory of our great God  and savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness  and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,  eager to do what is good. Alleluia Lk 2:10-11 R. Alleluia, alleluia. I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 2:1-14 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment,  when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth  to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,  because he was of the house and family of David,  to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,  and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,  because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields  and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them  and the glory of the Lord shone around them,  and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy  that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David  a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you:  you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes  and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:     “Glory to God in the highest         and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - - -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 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 When King David was settled in his palace,and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,he said to Nathan the prophet,"Here I am living in a house of cedar,while the ark of God dwells in a tent!"Nathan answered the king,"Go, do whatever you have in mind,for the LORD is with you."But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:"Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD:Should you build me a house to dwell in?'"It was I who took you from the pastureand from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel.I have been with you wherever you went,and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.I will fix a place for my people Israel;I will plant them so that they may dwell in their placewithout further disturbance.Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.I will give you rest from all your enemies.The LORD also reveals to youthat he will establish a house for you.And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,and I will make his kingdom firm.I will be a father to him,and he shall be a son to me.Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;your throne shall stand firm forever." Responsorial Psalm Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord."I have made a covenant with my chosen one,I have sworn to David my servant:Forever will I confirm your posterityand establish your throne for all generations."R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord."He shall say of me, 'You are my father,my God, the Rock, my savior.'Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,and my covenant with him stands firm."R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. Reading 2 Rom 16:25-27 Brothers and sisters:To him who can strengthen you,according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long agesbut now manifested through the prophetic writings and,according to the command of the eternal God,made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,to the only wise God, through Jesus Christbe glory forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia Lk 1:38 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.May it be done to me according to your word.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel was sent from Godto a town of Galilee called Nazareth,to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,of the house of David,and the virgin's name was Mary.And coming to her, he said,"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."But she was greatly troubled at what was saidand pondered what sort of greeting this might be.Then the angel said to her,"Do not be afraid, Mary,for you have found favor with God."Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,and you shall name him Jesus.He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,and of his kingdom there will be no end."But Mary said to the angel,"How can this be,since I have no relations with a man?"And the angel said to her in reply,"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.Therefore the child to be bornwill be called holy, the Son of God.And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,has also conceived a son in her old age,and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;for nothing will be impossible for God."Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.May it be done to me according to your word."Then the angel departed from her. - - -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 Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 Thus says the Lord GOD:Lo, I am sending my messengerto prepare the way before me;And suddenly there will come to the templethe LORD whom you seek,And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.But who will endure the day of his coming?And who can stand when he appears?For he is like the refiner's fire,or like the fuller's lye.He will sit refining and purifying silver,and he will purify the sons of Levi,Refining them like gold or like silverthat they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalemwill please the LORD,as in the days of old, as in years gone by.Lo, I will send youElijah, the prophet,Before the day of the LORD comes,the great and terrible day,To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,and the hearts of the children to their fathers,Lest I come and strikethe land with doom. Responsorial Psalm Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 R. (see Luke 21:28) Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;teach me your paths,Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my savior.R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.Good and upright is the LORD;thus he shows sinners the way.He guides the humble to justice,he teaches the humble his way.R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancytoward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,and his covenant, for their instruction.R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia.O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Lk 1:57-66 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her childshe gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heardthat 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 discussedthroughout 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." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint John of Kanty, priest - - -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.