Daily Mass Readings – Sunday, 12 December 2027

14 Give praise, O daughter of Sion: shout, O Israel: be glad, and rejoice with all thy heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgment, he hath turned away thy enemies: the king of Israel the Lord is in the midst of thee, thou shalt fear evil no more.

16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not: to Sion: Let not thy hands be weakened.

17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save: he will rejoice over thee with gladness, he will be silent in his love, he will be joyful over thee in praise.

18a The triflers that were departed from the law, I will gather together.

R. (6) Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

2 Behold, God is my saviour, I will deal confidently, and will not fear: O because the Lord is my strength, and my praise, and he is become my salvation.

3 You shall draw waters with joy out of the saviour’s fountains:

R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

4 And you shall say in that day: Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name: make his works known among the people: remember that his name is high.

R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

5 Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done great things: shew this forth in all the earth.

6 Rejoice, and praise, O thou habitation of Sion: for great is he that is in the midst of thee, the Holy One of Israel.

R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice.

5 Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh.

6 Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

10 And the people asked him, saying: What then shall we do?

11 And he answering, said to them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner.

12 And the publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Master, what shall we do?

13 But he said to them: Do nothing more than that which is appointed you.

14 And the soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man; neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay.

15 And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ;

16 John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.

18 And many other things exhorting, did he preach to the people.

Joy runs through these readings because God is near. He is in the midst of his people, mighty to save, gathering those who have wandered and telling them not to fear. This joy is not a denial of hardship; it is the peace of God guarding hearts and minds in Christ. We can bring every need to him with prayer and thanksgiving because his presence is stronger than our anxiety.

John shows what this joy looks like when it enters ordinary life. Those with extra clothing or food are to share. Publicans must act honestly, and soldiers must reject violence, slander, and greed. Conversion takes shape in the way we use what we have and treat the people before us. John also points beyond himself to the mightier One, who brings the Holy Spirit and fire. Christ comes to purify and gather, bringing glad tidings to the poor. To rejoice in the Lord, then, is to open our lives to his transforming presence and let his mercy become visible through generosity, truthfulness, restraint, and peace.

Lord God, you are mighty to save and you remain in the midst of your people. Quiet our fear with your peace, and teach us to bring every concern to you with grateful hearts. Send your Holy Spirit to purify our intentions and make our joy fruitful. Give us generous hands toward those who lack, honesty in our responsibilities, gentleness in our speech, and freedom from violence or greed. Help us welcome Christ, who brings good news to the poor, so that his presence may be recognized in the way we live. Amen.