December 15

Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

FIrst Reading

Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13

Thus says the LORD: Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! She hears no voice, accepts no correction; In the LORD she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near.

For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, That they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord; From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings.

On that day You need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, And you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; Nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; They shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them..

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 AND 23

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come, O Lord, do not delay;
forgive the sins of your people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

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 Lord hears the cry of the poor.
— see Psalm 34

Saint John the Baptist and the Pharisees Saint John the Baptist and the Pharisees / James Tissot / 1886-1894

Readings & Reflection

We have all heard the saying, “Do not judge a book by its cover.” Do we practice what we have heard throughout our lives? So often we can inadvertently judge those around us, not intentionally but simply by accident. We know that it is wrong to judge people and we know that many times we can get ahead of ourselves when we jump to conclusion about a person. The same was true for John the Baptist. People judged him for what he was doing and what he was preaching, but those who listened to him were welcomed by Christ when He came. How well do we listen to those around us? Are we quick to tune them out or shun them from what we are talking about? This is what Jesus cautions us in the Gospel today. If we say we are going to do something and change our minds, then we are not doing the will of God. Even if we do not like what God asks us to do or it is something we are not comfortable with, we are still called to give it our best. Whether God asks you to go out into His vineyard or asks you to remain and pray, let’s take the command today and allow God to be in charge. Let us not judge those around us and listen to what they have to say. 

Fr Matt Rawson 


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