First Reading
A reading from the prophet Isaiah. (Is11:1-10)
The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David’s descendants.
The spirit of the Lord will given him wisdom, and the knowledge and skill to rule his people. He will know the Lord’s will and honour him, and find pleasure in obeying him. He will now judge by appearance of hearsay; he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. At his command the people will be punished, and evil persons will die. He will rule his people with justice and integrity.
Wolves and sheep will live together in peace, and leopards will lie down with young goats. Calves and lion cubs will feed together, and little children will take care of them.
Cows and bears will eat together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace. Lions will eat straw as cattle do. Even a baby will not be harmed if it plays near a poisonous snake. On Zion, God’s sacred hill, there will be nothing harmful or evil. The land will be as full of knowledge of the Lord as the seas are full of water.
A day is coming when the king from the royal line of David will be a symbol to the nations. They will gather in his royal city and give him honour.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
(Ps 71:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17)
In his days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon fails.
1. O God, give your judgement to the king,
to the king’s son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice
and your poor in right judgement.
2. In his days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the Great River to earth’s bounds.
3. For he shall save the poor when they cry
and the needy who are helpless.
He will have pity on the weak
and save the lives of the poor.
4. May his name be blessed for ever
and endure like the sun.
Every tribe shall be blessed in him,
all nations bless his name.
Second Reading
A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. (Rom 15-4-9)
Everything written in the scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the scriptures give us. And may God, the source of patience and encouragement, enable you to have the same point of view among yourselves by following the example of Christ Jesus, so that all of you together may praise with one voice the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accept one another, then, for the glory of God, as Christ has accepted you. For I tell you that Christ’s life of service was on behalf of the Jews, to show that God is faithful, to make his promises to their ancestors come true, and to enable even the Gentiles to praise God for his mercy.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Prepare a way of for the Lord,
make his paths straight,
and all mankind shall see the salvation of God
Alleluia!
Gospel (Mt: 3:1-12)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. (Mt. 3:1-12)
At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching. “Turn away from your sins,” he said, because the Kingdom of heaven is near! John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said,
“Someone is shouting in the desert,
Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!”
John clothes were made of camel’s hair; he wore a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. People came to him from Jerusalem, from the whole province of Judaea, and from all the country near the River Jordan. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan.
When Jon saw many Pharisees and Sadducess coming to him to be baptized, he said to them, “You snakes - who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send? Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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