The 24th of June, 2021, Thursday is the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. The Bible scriptures for the vigil readings for this day came from the Year 2021 of Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: JER 1:4-10
The first reading from the Book of Jeremiah.
Now Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.”
But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you.
Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Yahweh.
Then Yahweh stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. Then Yahweh said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
Behold, I have today set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 71:1-2, 3-4A, 5-6AB, 15AB and 17
Response: I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you.
In you, Yahweh, I take refuge. Never let me be disappointed.
Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me. Turn your ear to me, and save me.
R: I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you.
Be to me a rock of refuge to which I may always go. Give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, my God, from the hand of the wicked.
R: I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you.
For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh, my confidence from my youth.
I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb.
R: I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you.
My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.
R: I have relied on you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother’s womb. I will always praise you.
Reading 2: 1 PT 1:8-12
The second reading from the Letter of Saint Peter.
Whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently. They prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them pointed to when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow them.
To them it was revealed that they served not themselves, but you, in these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.
Gospel of the Day: LK 1:5-17
From the gospel verse according to Luke.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.
He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”
Other Solemnity of Nativity of St. John the Baptist Reading
You can also check out the Solemnity of Nativity of St. John the Baptist – Mass During the Day reading.
