Saturday of the Second week of Advent

Book of Sirach

In those days, like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By God's word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah! Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses.
You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD, To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to reestablish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you and who falls asleep in your friendship.

Psalms

O shepherd of Israel, hearken.
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see:
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

St. John of the Cross(Doctor of the Church (1542-1591))

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS Doctor of the Church (1542-1591) The father of St. John was disowned by his kin for marrying a poor orphan. John was raised amidst poverty, but possessed a rich interior world. He loved himself in obedience to Christ and transcended his limits. While pursuing his sacred studies, he became a servant of the poor in the hospital of Medina. At the age of 21, John petitioned to be a lay-brother of the Carmelite friars. He was soon ordained a priest. He would have transferred to the severe Carthusian Order had not St. Teresa persuaded him to help her reform the Carmelites. Thus, John became the first prior of the Barefooted Carmelites. John's reforms were approved by the general, but rejected by the elder friars. They condemned him as a fugitive and apostate and cast him into prison. John escaped after nine months' suffering at the risk of his life. Twice again, John was shamefully persecuted by his brethren and publicly disgraced. However, his complete abandonment by creatures only deepened his interior peace and devout longing for heaven. St. John's works include "The Dark Night of the Soul," a spiritual classic. He intercedes before God: having proven his love in the darkest of nights for the King of Kings.

St. Nicasius(Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs (5th century))

SAINT NICASIUS Archbishop and his Companions Martyrs (5th century) In the fifth century, an army from Germania ravaged a part of Gaul and plundered the city of Rheims. Nicasius, the holy bishop, foretold the invasion. When Abp. Nicasius saw the enemy at the gates and in the streets, he went from door to door warning and encouraging other. While doing so, he exposed himself to the swords of the invaders, who harmed him and later beheaded him. Florens, his deacon, and Jocond, his lector, were martyred by his side. Nicasius' sister, Eutropia, a virtuous virgin, feared that she might be enslaved. She called upon God and was martyred together with her friends. Their sacrifices were not in vain because God grants the prayers of those who love Him till the end.

St. Venantius()

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2024 / Catholic Missal of december 2024