Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Daily Readings for December 16, 2015

1ST READING

One of the greatest challenges that we face in life is to live with integrity. It is easier to know what is good and right than to live it. As Christians, we must always demonstrate our commitment to the Gospel and to the truth. Let us pray that we will always live with integrity. Only then will our words have the power to influence the debates that occur in modern society.

Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25
6 I am the Lord, there is no other; 7 I form the light, and create the darkness, I make well-being and create woe; I, the Lord, do all these things. 8 Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down. Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up! I, the Lord, have created this. 18 For thus says the Lord, the creator of the heavens, who is God, the designer and maker of the earth who established it, not creating it to be a waste, but designing it to be lived in: I am the Lord, and there is no other. 21 Who announced this from the beginning and foretold it from of old? Was it not I, the Lord, besides whom there is no other God? There is no just and saving God but me. 22 Turn to me and be safe, all you ends of the earth, for I am God; there is no other! 23 By myself I swear, uttering my just decree and my unalterable word: To me every knee shall bend; by me every tongue shall swear, 24 saying, “Only in the Lord are just deeds and power. Before him in shame shall come all who vent their anger against him. 25 In the Lord shall be the vindication and the glory of all the descendants of Israel.”


P S A L M

Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R: Let the clouds rain down the just one, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord — for he proclaims peace to his people. 9 [10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10 [11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13] The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)


GOSPEL

Jesus is true to His identity. His testimony is greater than John’s witness. Jesus’ understanding of His identity is based on His belief that He and the Father are one. This is at the heart of our understanding of the Trinity. Since we are destined to spend eternity with the Trinity, it is good for us to know who God is in His essence. Let us unite our will to the will of God and enter into the mystery of communion with and in Him.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Raise your voice and tell the Good News: Behold, the Lord God comes with power.

Luke 7:18-23
18 At that time, John summoned two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 20 When the men came to the Lord, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’ ” 21 At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. 22 And Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 23 And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”



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