Daily Readings for December 14, 2016

1ST READING

Today is the feast day of St. John of the Cross, one of the giants of the Church’s spiritual tradition. He reformed the Carmelite way of life and brought back its original simplicity. He is one of the most profound mystical writers the Church has seen. You cannot exhaust the lessons from his deep and profound writings. There is always something new to discover and learn.

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

The life of Jesus speaks for itself. There is no need for Him to answer the question because of the clarity of His life’s witness. Can we say the same for us? If we are serious about discipleship, then we must be like Jesus. May we never be afraid to confront our sinfulness.

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.”