Daily Readings for December 16, 2017

1ST READING

One of the greatest and constant challenges that we face in life is that of integrity. It is much easier to know what is good and right than to live it in our lives. As Christians we must never tire of doing the right thing no matter what others may say to us or think of us in the process. If it is the right thing to do then that is what we should do and be grateful that God has shown us how we can glorify Him in even the littlest decisions of our lives.

Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8 (or Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11)

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 (or Psalm 80:2, 3, 15-16, 18-19)

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 knows who He is and why He is here on earth. This is why it is good to know what God wants us to do with our lives – it gives us clear direction in a world that can be a very confusing place to live. It is a great help to know what God wants us to do as this knowledge filters down into all our decisions. In my personal experience, when I chose to become a priest, I knew that it was a decision that would have ramifications for the rest of my life. This is a good thing – it is simply not possible to keep our options open all the time.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

John 5:33-36 (or Matthew 17:9, 10-13)

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.”