Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 19 November 2026

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3 And no man was able, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to look on it.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open the book, nor to see it.

5 And one of the ancients said to me: Weep not; behold the lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6 And I saw: and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.

8 And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints:

9 And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.

10 And hast made us to our God a kingdom and priests, and we shall reign on the earth.

R. (Rev. 5:10) The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.

or

R. Alleluia.

1 Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let his praise be in the church of the saints.

2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: and let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.

R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.

or

R. Alleluia.

3 Let them praise his name in choir: let them sing to him with the timbrel and the psaltery.

4 For the Lord is well pleased with his people: and he will exalt the meek unto salvation.

R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.

or

R. Alleluia.

5 The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their beds.

6a The high praise of God shall be in their mouth.:

9b This glory is to all his saints. Alleluia.

R. The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

8 Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

41 And when he drew near, seeing the city, he wept over it, saying:

42 If thou also hadst known, and that in this thy day, the things that are to thy peace; but now they are hidden from thy eyes.

43 For the days shall come upon thee, and thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and straiten thee on every side,

44 And beat thee flat to the ground, and thy children who are in thee: and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a stone: because thou hast not known the time of thy visitation.

The sealed book represents the mystery of God’s purposes, closed to every creature until the Lamb takes it from the hand of the One seated on the throne. He is worthy because he was slain and, by his blood, redeemed people from every nation. The victory of Christ is revealed through sacrificial love. Before him, heaven sings, the saints worship, and the prayers of God’s people rise like incense.

Yet the Gospel shows the sorrowful contrast of a people who do not recognize the time of their visitation. Jesus weeps over the city because the things that make for peace are hidden from its eyes. The Alleluia gives us a direct response: when we hear his voice, we must not harden our hearts. Christ still comes to us as the Lamb who opens what is sealed and leads us into God’s peace. Prayer, worship, and humble obedience keep our hearts attentive. We may not understand all that God is unfolding, but we can recognize his presence and receive his mercy while his voice is heard.

Lord Jesus, Lamb who was slain and now reigns in glory, open my heart to the mystery of your saving love. Keep me from becoming deaf to your voice or blind to the grace of your visitation. Where I resist you, bring repentance; where I am troubled, grant your peace; where I am uncertain, teach me faithful trust. Receive the prayers of your people and make my life an offering of praise. Gather your Church from every nation into one kingdom, and help me serve you with a humble and attentive heart. Amen.