Reading from the book of Isaiah Is 35:1-6a, 10
The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
they will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
R. Lord, come and save us.
The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Lord, come and save us.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Lord, come and save us.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. Lord, come and save us.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Lord, come and save us.
Second Reading
Reading from the Letter of St. James Jas 5:7-10
Be patient, brothers and sisters,
until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it
until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient.
Make your hearts firm,
because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Is 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia
Gospel
P: The Lord be with you.
P: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew Mt 11:2-11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
“Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
“What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
BIDDING PRAYERS:
Let us pray with hearts that long for God’s reign.
Our response is, “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
- Christ came to free humanity from its slavery to death; may the Savior’s return find the church laboring to safeguard all life. As we await the new creation, we pray: “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
- Christ opened a straight path to God’s compassion for the sinner; may the faith and love of Christians inspire others to seek God’s mercy. As we await the new creation, we pray: “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
- Christ transformed the landscape of human suffering; may the church’s pastoral ministries continue the healing work of the Messiah. As we await the new creation, we pray: “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
- Christ affirmed that it is not on bread alone that we live; may we strive to live moderately and consume less. As we await the new creation, we pray: “Christ Jesus, hear our prayer.”
God, hear our prayers and uphold us in faith until all is ready to receive the Dawn of Justice, who is Christ, the Lord.
