Mass Readings for December 17, 2023

Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11
Luke 1:46-50,53-54
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8,19-28

Isaiah 61:1-2,10-11
(1) The Lord Yahweh’s Spirit is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to those who are bound; (2) to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; (10) I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (11) For as the earth produces its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring up; so the Lord Yahweh will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

Luke 1:46-50,53-54
(46) Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. (47) My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, (48) for he has looked at the humble state of his servant. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed. (49) For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. (50) His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him. (53) He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty. (54) He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
(16) Rejoice always. (17) Pray without ceasing. (18) In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. (19) Don’t quench the Spirit. (20) Don’t despise prophesies. (21) Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. (22) Abstain from every form of evil. (23) May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.

John 1:6-8,19-28
(6) There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. (7) The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. (8) He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. (19) This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” (20) He declared, and didn’t deny, but he declared, “I am not the Christ.” (21) They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” (22) They said therefore to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” (23) He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” (24) The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees. (25) They asked him, “Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” (26) John answered them, “I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know. (27) He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.” (28) These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.