The 16th of December, 2022 is Friday in the Third Week of Advent. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar of the Year 2023.
Reading 1: IS 56:1-3A, 6-8
The first reading from the Book of Isaiah.
Yahweh says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
Let no foreigner who has joined himself to Yahweh speak, saying, “Yahweh will surely separate me from his people.”
“Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh to serve him, and to love Yahweh’s name, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant, I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
The Lord Yahweh, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “I will yet gather others to him, in addition to his own who are gathered.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 67:1-2, 4, 6-7
Response: Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us.
That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation among all nations,
R: Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth.
R: Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us.
God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.
R: Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.
Gospel of the Day: JN 5:33-36
From the gospel scripture according to John.
“You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.
But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved.
He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.”
