Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent

December 11, 2021



First Reading: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11

1 Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch. 2 He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in number. 3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times brought down fire. 4 How glorious you were, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have? 9 You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire; 10 you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written, to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob. 11 Blessed are those who saw you, and those who have been adorned in love; for we also shall surely live.


Psalm: 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou who leadest Joseph like a flock! Thou who art enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth 2 before E’phraim and Benjamin and Manas’seh! Stir up thy might, and come to save us! 14 Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, 15 the stock which thy right hand planted. 17 But let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, the son of man whom thou hast made strong for thyself! 18 Then we will never turn back from thee; give us life, and we will call on thy name!


Gospel: Matthew 17:10-13

10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Eli’jah must come?” 11 He replied, “Eli’jah does come, and he is to restore all things; 12 but I tell you that Eli’jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Reflection for the day: “The true secret of love consists in this: we must forget self like St John the Baptist and exalt and glorify the Lord Jesus.” — St. Peter Julian Eymard

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