Mass Readings for August 22, 2023

Isaiah 9:1-6
Psalms 113:1-8
Luke 1:26-38

Isaiah 9:1-6
(1) But there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. (2) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined. (3) You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder. (4) For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian. (5) For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. (6) For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Psalms 113:1-8
(1) Praise Yah! Praise, you servants of Yahweh, praise Yahweh’s name. (2) Blessed be Yahweh’s name, from this time forward and forever more. (3) From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Yahweh’s name is to be praised. (4) Yahweh is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens. (5) Who is like Yahweh, our God, who has his seat on high, (6) Who stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth? (7) He raises up the poor out of the dust. Lifts up the needy from the ash heap; (8) that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

Luke 1:26-38
(26) Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, (27) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. (28) Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” (29) But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. (30) The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (31) Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ (32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, (33) and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.” (34) Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?” (35) The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. (36) Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. (37) For nothing spoken by God is impossible.” (38) Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” The angel departed from her.