Daily Readings for December 30, 2017

1ST READING

This is a text that the Fathers of the Church refer to when discussing the need to reject the ways of the world, and to choose the way of Christ above all other things. This is at the heart of discipleship, and John tells us that the lures and enticement of the world and sin are very strong. The only way to overcome them is to follow the path of Christ. This is the daily challenge of every disciple.

1 John 2:12-17

12 I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the Evil One. 14 I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the Evil One. 15 Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

P S A L M

Psalm 96:7-8, 8-9, 10

R: Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice.

7 Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise; 8 give to the Lord the glory due his name! (R) Bring gifts, and enter his courts; 9  worship the Lord in holy attire. Tremble before him, all the earth. (R) 10 Say among the nations: the Lord is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (R)

GOSPEL

Anna must have been a great intercessor, living her life in fasting and prayer. Sometimes, we underestimate the power of intercession, which leads to our lack of commitment to it today. For centuries, thousands of men and women in contemplative monasteries around the world commit to praying for the Church and Her mission. Their numbers are dwindling today and we need to take up the slack. Let us pray and fast for the Church and Her mission a little more than what we do at the moment.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. Today a great light has come upon the earth.

Luke 2:36-40

36 There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.