DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION

DECEMBER 29, 2023

FRIDAY - THE FIFTH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

(OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF SAINT THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP AND MARTYR)

FIRST READING

1 JOHN 2:3-11 OR ( 2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13; 3:10-12)

3 And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He who says "I know him" but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: 6 he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

The Word of the Lord
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALMS 95(96):1-3, 5-6 OR (PSALMS 34:2-9)

Response: Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

O sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Sing to the LORD, bless his name. 

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

Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!

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

For all the gods of the peoples are idols;
but the LORD made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

GOSPEL

The favor of God was upon him

LUKE 2:22-35 OR (MATTHEW 16:24-27)

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord" 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."

The Gospel of the Lord
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REFLECTION

DAILY QUOTE FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS

Simeon and Anna represent both sexes awaiting their Redeemer, by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"Simeon and Anna, a man and a woman of advanced age, greeted the Lord with the devoted services of their professions of faith. As they saw him, he was small in body, but they understood him to be great in his divinity. Figuratively speaking, this denotes the synagogue, the Jewish people, who, wearied by the long awaiting of his incarnation, were ready with both their arms (their pious actions) and their voices (their unfeigned faith) to exalt and magnify him as soon as he came. They were ready to acclaim him and say, 'Direct me in your truth and teach me, for you are my saving God, and for you I have waited all the day' (Psalm 25:5). What needs to be mentioned, too, is that deservedly both sexes hurried to meet him, offering congratulations, since he appeared as the Redeemer of both."

(excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.18)
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Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.