The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
1st Reading – Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
For God has honored the father in the sons, and, when seeking the judgment of the mother, he has confirmed it in the children.
He who loves God will plead with him on behalf of sins, and will keep himself away from sin, and will be heeded in the prayers of his days.
And, like one who stores up treasure, so also is he who honors his mother.
He who honors his father will find happiness in his own children, and he will be heeded in the day of his prayer.
He who honors his father will live a long life. And he who obeys his father will be a refreshment to his mother.
Son, support your father in his old age, and do not grieve him in his life.
And if his mind should fail, show kindness; and do not spurn him when you are in your strength. For almsgiving to the father will never be forgotten.
firmly planted against the debt of your sins a house raised in justice to you.
Or Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3
The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying: “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your protector, and your reward is exceedingly great.”
And Abram said: “Lord God, what will you give to me? I may go without children. And the son of the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus.”
And Abram added: “Yet to me you have not given offspring. And behold, my servant born in my house will be my heir.”
And immediately the word of the Lord came to him, saying: “This one will not be your heir. But he who will come from your loins, the same will you have for your heir.”
And he brought him outside, and he said to him, “Take in the heavens, and number the stars, if you can.” And he said to him, “So also will your offspring be.”
Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.
The Lord visited Sarah, just as he had promised; and he fulfilled what he had spoken.
Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son in her old age, at the time that God had foretold to her.
Abraham called the name of his son, whom Sarah bore for him, Isaac.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
R. 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.
Or Psalms 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
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. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
constantly seek his face.
R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
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. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
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. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.
2nd Reading – Colossians 3:12-21
Brothers and sisters:
Therefore, clothe yourselves like the elect of God: holy and beloved, with hearts of mercy, kindness, humility, modesty, and patience.
Support one another, and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive one another. For just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also must you do.
And above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ lift up your hearts. For in this peace, you have been called, as one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ live in you in abundance, with all wisdom, teaching and correcting one another, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing to God with the grace in your hearts.
Let everything whatsoever that you do, whether in word or in deed, be done all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter toward them.
Children, obey your parents in all things. For this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to indignation, lest they lose heart.
Or Colossians 3:12-17
Brothers and sisters:
Therefore, clothe yourselves like the elect of God: holy and beloved, with hearts of mercy, kindness, humility, modesty, and patience.
Support one another, and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive one another. For just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also must you do.
And above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ lift up your hearts. For in this peace, you have been called, as one body. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ live in you in abundance, with all wisdom, teaching and correcting one another, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing to God with the grace in your hearts.
Let everything whatsoever that you do, whether in word or in deed, be done all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Or Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19
Brothers and sisters:
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age – and Sarah herself was sterile – for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
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.
Or Hebrews 1:1-2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel – Luke 2:22-40
After the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,” and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law, he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
“Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.
And she was a widow until she was eighty-four years. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.
And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.
Or Luke 2:22, 39-40
And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:
And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.
No comments: