Daily Readings for November 21, 2016

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1ST READING

The “Lamb of God” gives us life and we follow Him wherever He goes. This is what discipleship is all about — discovering the path to eternal life, ensuring that we stay on it. Let us set our eyes on the path that leads to the person of Jesus. Let us become His disciple in both word and deed.

Revelation 14:1-3, 4-5 (or Zechariah 2:14-17)

1 I, John, looked and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing water or a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 They were singing what seemed to be a new hymn before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn this hymn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been ransomed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been ransomed as the first fruits of the human race for God and the Lamb. 5 On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.

P S A L M

Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (or Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55)

R: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

1 The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. 2 For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (R) 3 Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. 6 Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. (R)

GOSPEL

To be generous means to do beyond what is expected. What is God asking from us? Time, talent and treasure? Respond to His call. The Holy Spirit will stretch us even in our giving. This is what being generous is all about.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Stay awake! For you do not know when the Son of Man will come.

Luke 21:1-4 (or Matthew 12:46-50)

1 When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”