The 18th of November, 2021 is Thursday in the Thirty-Third Week of Ordinary Time. The Bible scriptures for the holy mass readings for this day came from the 2021 Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: 1 MC 2:15-29
The first reading from the Book of Maccabees.
And the king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came into the city Modin to sacrifice.
Many of Israel came to them, and Mattathias and his sons were gathered together.
The king’s officers answered and spoke to Mattathias, saying, “You are a ruler and an honorable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and kindred.
Now therefore come first and do the commandment of the king, as all the nations have done, including the men of Judah and those who remain in Jerusalem. You and your house will be numbered among the king’s friends, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.”
And Mattathias answered and said with a loud voice, “If all the nations that are in the house of the king’s dominion listen to him, to fall away each one from the worship of his fathers, and have made choice to follow his commandments, yet I and my sons and my kindred will walk in the covenant of our fathers.
Far be it from us that we should forsake the law and the ordinances.
We will not listen to the king’s words, to turn aside from our worship, to the right hand, or to the left.”
When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king’s commandment.
Mattathias saw it, so his zeal was kindled, and his guts trembled, and he vented his wrath according to judgment, and ran and killed him upon the altar.
He killed the king’s officer, who compelled men to sacrifice, at the same time, and pulled down the altar.
He was zealous for the law, even as Phinehas did to Zimri the son of Salu.
Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying, “Whoever is zealous for the law and maintains the covenant, let him follow me!”
He and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that they had in the city.
Then many who sought justice and judgment went down into the wilderness to live there.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15
Response: “And prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.”
The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, speaks, and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines out.
R: “And prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.”
“Gather my saints together to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
The heavens shall declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge.
R: “And prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.”
“Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High.
Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
R: “And prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.”
Gospel of the Day: LK 19:41-44
From the gospel verse according to Luke.
When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes.
For the days will come on you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side, and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”
Other Celebration
An optional celebration on this day is the Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas in Rome of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles as well as the optional Memorial Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin.
