Catholic Missal of the day: Thursday, December 4 2025

Thursday of the First week of Advent

Book of Isaiah

On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: "A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you."
Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.

Psalms

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
Than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
Than to trust in princes.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

St. Barbara(Virgin and Martyr (3rd century))

SAINT BARBARA Virgin and Martyr(3rd century) St. Barbara's pagan father, Dioscorus, kept her secluded in a lonely tower while goading her to renounce Jesus. In that forced solitude, St. Barbara gave herself to prayer and study. She was also secretly formed and baptized by a priest. When Dioscorus discovered his daughter's baptism, he was beside himself with rage. He denounced St. Barbara before a civil tribunal: As punishment, St. Barbara was tortured and beheaded. Martyrologies state that Dioscorus acted as St. Barbara's executioner. Some also state that he was killed by a lightning bolt. St. Barbara's prayers likely resulted in conversions and miracles through her intercession.

St. John Damascus(Syrian monk and priest (c. 675-749))

St. John of Damascus Syrian monk and priest(c. 675-749) St. John Damascene has the double honor of being the last of the fathers of the Eastern Church and the greatest of her poets. However, little else is known about his life. The account of John of Jerusalem, two hundred years after the Saint's death, contains both fact and legend. St. John Damascus' ancestors, according to his biographer, remained Christian despite Damascus' fell to Islamic armies. They were employed in judicial offices to administer the Christian subjects. St. John's father freed Christian slaves using his great wealth. St. John was baptized after his birth, likely by Peter II, the bishop of Damascus. As an adult, St. John's character and achievements earned him the Saracens' respect. In time, he was compelled to accept an office of higher trust and dignity than that of his father. As the Iconoclastic controversy became more violent, St. John published the first of three treatises on the veneration due to images. They were probably composed when Leo the Isaurian decreed against images in 730. St. John was ordained before publishing his second treatise. His third treatise expanded upon freedom of expression and basic rights. His treatises were disseminated throughout the Christian world. St. John wrote religious poetry, which is a heritage of the Eastern Church. He also protected the Church's doctrines through apologetics to heretical groups. His three great hymns or canons are on Easter, the Ascension and Saint Thomas' Sunday. His defense of icons and basic rights makehim the Doctor of Christian Art.

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2025 / Catholic Missal of december 2025