Reading I Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 God sets a father in honor over his children;     a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins,     and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard;     he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,     and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;     he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother. My son, take care of your father when he is old;     grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;     revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to a father will not be forgotten,     firmly planted against the debt of your sins     —a house raised in justice to you. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5. R. (cf. 1)  Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,    who walks in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;    blessed shall you be, and favored. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine    in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants    around your table. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Behold, thus is the man blessed    who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion:    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem    all the days of your life. R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. Reading II Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another,  if one has a grievance against another;  as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love,  that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,  the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,  as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,  singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs  with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed,  do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,  giving thanks to God the Father through him.   Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,  as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives,  and avoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything,  for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children,  so they may not become discouraged. OR: Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another,  if one has a grievance against another;  as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love,  that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,  the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,  as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,  singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs  with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed,  do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,  giving thanks to God the Father through him.     Alleluia Colossians 3:15a, 16a R. Alleluia, alleluia. Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. R. Alleluia, alleluia.   Gospel Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, He shall be called a Nazorean. - - - 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 1 John 1:1-4 Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 R. (12) Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are around him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! Alleluia See Te Deum R. Alleluia, alleluia. We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel John 20:1a and 2-8 On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. - - - 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 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 heaven and 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 Man standing 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 cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Responsorial Psalm Psalm 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 Psalm 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 Matthew 10:17-22 Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but 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 during the NightReadings for the Mass at Dawn Reading I Isaiah 52:7-10     How beautiful upon the mountains         are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,     announcing peace, bearing good news,         announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,         “Your God is King!”     Hark!  Your sentinels raise a cry,         together they shout for joy,     for they see directly, before their eyes,         the LORD restoring Zion.     Break out together in song,         O ruins of Jerusalem!     For the LORD comforts his people,         he redeems Jerusalem.     The LORD has bared his holy arm         in the sight of all the nations;     all the ends of the earth will behold         the salvation of our God. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6. R. (3c)  All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing to the LORD a new song,    for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him,    his holy arm. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. The LORD has made his salvation known:    in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness    toward the house of Israel. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. All the ends of the earth have seen    the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;    break into song; sing praise. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,    with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn    sing joyfully before the King, the LORD. R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. Reading II Hebrews 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 has spoken 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 firstborn into the world, he says:     Let all the angels of God worship him. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia. A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel John 1:1-18     In the beginning was the Word,         and the Word was with God,         and the Word was God.     He was in the beginning with God.      All things came to be through him,         and without him nothing came to be.     What came to be through him was life,         and this life was the light of the human race;     the light shines in the darkness,         and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light,  so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.     He was in the world,         and the world came to be through him,         but the world did not know him.     He came to what was his own,         but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God,  to those who believe in his name,  who were born not by natural generation  nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision  but of God.     And the Word became flesh         and made his dwelling among us,         and we saw his glory,         the glory as of the Father’s only Son,         full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying,  “This was he of whom I said,  ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me  because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses,  grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,  has revealed him. OR: John 1:1-5, 9-14     In the beginning was the Word,         and the Word was with God,         and the Word was God.     He was in the beginning with God.      All things came to be through him,         and without him nothing came to be.     What came to be through him was life,         and this life was the light of the human race;     the light shines in the darkness,         and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.     He was in the world,         and the world came to be through him,         but the world did not know him.     He came to what was his own,         but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God,  to those who believe in his name,  who were born not by natural generation  nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision  but of God.     And the Word became flesh         and made his dwelling among us,         and we saw his glory,         the glory as of the Father’s only Son,         full of grace and truth. - - - 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.