Catholic Missal of the day: Friday, December 29 2023
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
First Letter of John
2,3-11.Beloved: The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to live (just) as he lived.
Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Psalms
96(95),1-2a.2b-3.5b-6.Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
Praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke
2,22-35.When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,"
and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons," in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."
The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
St. Thomas Becket(Bishop and Martyr († 1170))
SAINT THOMAS OF CANTERBURYBishop and martyr(c. 1118-1170) St. Thomas was born in Southwark, England, the son of Gilbert Becket. As a youth, Thomas was attached to the household of Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury. The latter sent him to Paris and Bologna to study law. Thomas became the archdeacon of Canterbury and later the lord high chancellor of England. When Abp. Theobald passed away in 1160, the king insisted on Thomas' consecration. Thomas refused, warning the king that from that hour their friendship would be broken. In the end, he yielded. He was consecrated; and the conflict broke out immediately. After 6 years of contention, partly spent in exile, Abp. Thomas, with full foresight of martyrdom, returned to his Church. On December 29, 1170, as vespers began, four knights broke into his cathedral crying, "Where is the archbishop?" Thomas said, "Here I am." The knights then struck him to death. Six months later, Henry II was publicly scourged at the Saint's shrine and restored the Church's rights. St. Thomas' prayers were likely the catalyst; because God is almighty and blessed in His saints (Ps. 116:15).
Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2023 / Catholic Missal of december 2023
Published: 2023-11-27T19:31:35Z | Modified: 2023-11-27T19:31:35Z