The 15th of December, 2020 is Tuesday in the Third Week of Advent. The Bible scriptures for the holy mass readings for this day came from the 2021 Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: ZEP 3:1-2, 9-13
The first reading from the Book of Zephaniah.
Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, the oppressing city!
She didn’t obey the voice. She didn’t receive correction. She didn’t trust in Yahweh. She didn’t draw near to her God.
“For then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that they may all call on Yahweh’s name, to serve him shoulder to shoulder.
From beyond the rivers of Cush, my worshipers, even the daughter of my dispersed people, will bring my offering.
In that day you will not be disappointed for all your doings in which you have transgressed against me; for then I will take away out from among you your proudly exulting ones, and you will no more be arrogant in my holy mountain.
But I will leave among you an afflicted and poor people, and they will take refuge in Yahweh’s name.
The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 34:1-2, 5-6, 16-17, 18 and 22
Response: This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him.
I will bless Yahweh at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.
My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
R: This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him.
They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
R: This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him.
Yahweh’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth.
The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
R: This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him.
Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.
R: This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him.
Gospel of the Day: MT 21:28-32
From the gospel verse according to Matthew.
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.
He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go.
Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you.
For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.”