The 16th of December, 2020 is Wednesday in the Third Week of Advent. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar Year 2021.
Reading 1: IS 45:6C-8, 18, 21C-25
The first reading from the Book of Isaiah.
“I am Yahweh, and there is no one else.
I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things.
Rain, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may produce salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it.”
For Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited says: “I am Yahweh. There is no other.”
“Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior. There is no one besides me.
Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
I have sworn by myself. The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked,that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.
They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’_” Even to him will men come. All those who raged against him will be disappointed.
All the offspring of Israel will be justified in Yahweh, and will rejoice!
Responsorial Psalm: PS 85:8AB and 9, 10-11, 12-13
Response: Rain, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may produce salvation.
I will hear what God, Yahweh, will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, his saints.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
R: Rain, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may produce salvation.
Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven.
R: Rain, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may produce salvation.
Yes, Yahweh will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps.
R: Rain, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may produce salvation.
Gospel of the Day: LK 7:19-23
From the gospel scripture according to Luke.
John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?”
When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’_”
In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”