Daily Readings for December 7, 2016

1ST READING

Through Isaiah, God promises the strength to persevere for those who commit to follow the ways of the Lord. Do you believe this promise? It is essential to discipleship that we believe and trust in the power that comes from God, and not from us.

Isaiah 40:25-31

27 [25] To whom can you liken me as an equal? Says the Holy One. 28 [26] Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these. He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! 29 [27] Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 30 [28] Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. 31 [29] He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. 32 [30] Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, 33 [31] they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.

P S A L M

Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10

R: O bless the Lord, my soul!

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (R) 3 He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. 4 He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion. (R) 8 Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. 10 Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus promises us that the yoke He will give us is light. The yoke of the Law from Moses became a burden that was too heavy for the people to bear. It crushed them with the weight of its rules. Jesus’ yoke is the yoke of the Holy Spirit, the grace with which we follow His call for our life. The yoke He gives us is not really a burden but the strength we need to become His disciples.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”