Mass Readings for November 24, 2023

1 Maccabees 4:36–37, 52–59
1 Chronicles 29:10–12
Luke 19:45–48

1 Maccabees 4:36–37, 52–59
36 But Judas and his kindred said, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse the holy place, and to dedicate it afresh.
37 And all the army was gathered together, and they went up to mount Sion.
52 And they rose up early in the morning, on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is the month Chislev, in the hundred and forty and eighth year,
53 and offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burned offerings which they had made.
54 At what time and on what day the Gentiles had profaned it, even on that day was it dedicated afresh, with songs and harps and lutes, and with cymbals.
55 And all the people fell upon their faces, and worshipped, and gave praise to heaven, which had given them good success.
56 And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and offered burned offerings with gladness, and sacrificed a sacrifice of deliverance and praise.
57 And they decked the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold and small shields, and dedicated afresh the gates and the priests’ chambers, and made doors for them.
58 And there was exceeding great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.
59 And Judas and his kindred and the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their seasons from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Chislev, with gladness and joy.

1 Chronicles 29:10–12
10 Therefore David blessed Yahweh before all the assembly; and David said, “You are blessed, Yahweh, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all! In your hand is power and might! It is in your hand to make great, and to give strength to all!

Luke 19:45–48
45 He entered into the temple, and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,
46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of robbers’!”
47 He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people sought to destroy him.
48 They couldn’t find what they might do, for all the people hung on to every word that he said.