Daily Readings for December 16, 2016

1ST READING

Integrity is a constant challenge in life. It is easier to know what is good and right than to live it out. Let us not compromise the values of the Gospel.

Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8

1 Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this, the son of man who holds to it; who keeps the sabbath free from profanation, and his hand from any evildoing. 3 Let not the foreigner say, when he would join himself to the Lord, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” 6 The foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ministering to him, loving the name of the Lord, and becoming his servants — all who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, 7 them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. 8 Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: Others will I gather to him besides those already gathered.

P S A L M

Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8

R: O God, let all the nations praise you!

1 [2] May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. 2 [3] So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R) 4 [5] May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R) 6 [7] The earth has yielded its fruits; God, our God, has blessed us. 7 [8] May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus is confident about His true identity. He knows that His testimony is greater than John’s. Jesus has a strong relationship with the Father in heaven, something many of us have been deprived of due to damaged relationships with our own earthly fathers. God can heal us and fill in what is lacking through our understanding and experience of His love.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Come, Lord, bring us your peace that we may rejoice before you with a perfect heart.

John 5:33-36

33 Jesus said to the Jews: “You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.”