November 19
Thursday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading
Revelation 5:1-10
I, John, saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to examine it. I shed many tears because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to examine it. One of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. The lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed, enabling him to open the scroll with its seven seals.”
Then I saw standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and the elders a Lamb that seemed to have been slain. He had seven horns and seven eyes; these are the seven spirits of God sent out into the whole world. He came and received the scroll from the right hand of the one who sat on the throne. When he took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones. They sang a new hymn:
“Worthy are you to receive the scroll and break open its seals, for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 149:1B-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B
R. (Rev. 5:10) The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Alleluia
Psalms 95:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.”
Readings & Reflection
What does it mean to serve? It is a simple task that many of us at one point or another in our lives have done. To be able to serve someone is one of the humblest and rewarding jobs we can do. I remember going with a Confirmation class to one of the service projects at Emmaus Ministry, an outreach that serves meals to those who are in need. This was a beautiful opportunity to see Christ in those around me. Seeing the smile, the tears, and the happiness that these people shed for a simple meal and conversation is always a blessing.
Our psalm response today says, “The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.” When we hear this we often think of the ordained priesthood. The primary role of the priest is to first serve God, and second to serve the people of God. How are you able to serve those around you? Maybe it’s getting involved this holiday season with an organization who helps those in need. Maybe it’s helping those around you in your family or friends; it could even be something as simple as helping your family members out with a task during the day. Whatever it is, Christ calls us each day to service and asks us to be able to see Him in those around us. Let’s recalls the passage from the Gospel of Matthew, “Whatever you did for the least of my people, you did for me.” How will you serve Christ today?
Fr Matt Rawson
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