Daily Mass Readings – Monday, 4 December 2028

2 In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel.

3 And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall be left in Sion, and that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one that is written in life in Jerusalem.

4 If the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

5 And the Lord will create upon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection.

6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind, and from rain.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

1 I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord.

2 Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

3 Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together.

4ab For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

4cd The testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.

5 Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of David.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

6 Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee.

7 Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy towers.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

8 For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, I spoke peace of thee.

9 Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

4 Come and save us, LORD our God; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

5 And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grieviously tormented.

7 And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him.

8 And the centurion making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof: but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 And Jesus hearing this, marvelled; and said to them that followed him: Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel.

11 And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven:

Isaiah presents a people washed clean and gathered beneath God’s protecting glory. Jerusalem becomes a place of peace, praise, and belonging, where the Lord shelters his people as a cloud from the heat and a refuge from the storm. The psalm gives this hope a joyful movement: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”

In the Gospel, that promise reaches beyond Israel’s borders. A Roman centurion approaches Jesus with concern for his servant, yet he speaks with remarkable humility: he knows he is unworthy, but trusts that Christ’s word alone has authority to heal. Jesus praises this faith and reveals that many will come from east and west to share in the kingdom. The Lord’s saving presence is offered to all who approach him with trust. We do not need to control how his grace will come; we can bring him those who suffer, place our own need before him, and believe that his word is effective. “Only say the word” can become our prayer in moments of helplessness, drawing us toward the peace of God’s house.

Lord Jesus, speak your healing word into the places of suffering in our lives and in the lives of those we love. Give us the centurion’s humble faith, willing to trust your authority even when we cannot see the outcome. Wash away whatever keeps us from your light, and gather us beneath your protection. Make your Church a place of peace, welcome, and sincere praise, where people from every nation may discover your mercy. Teach us to carry the needs of others to you with confidence and compassion. May your word guide us safely into the joy of your kingdom. Amen.