!catholics !christians let's rock.

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First Reading

The word of the LORD came to Jonah, saying:

"Set out for the great city of Nineveh,

and announce to it the message that I will tell you."

So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh,

according to the LORD'S bidding.

Now Nineveh was an enormously large city;

it took three days to go through it.

Jonah began his journey through the city,

and had gone but a single day's walk announcing,

"Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed, "

when the people of Nineveh believed God;

they proclaimed a fast

and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way,

he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them;

he did not carry it out.

-Jonah 3:1-5, 10

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (4a) Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;

teach me your paths,

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my savior.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,

and your love are from of old.

In your kindness remember me,

because of your goodness, O LORD.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Good and upright is the LORD;

thus he shows sinners the way.

He guides the humble to justice

and teaches the humble his way.

R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.

-Psalms 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

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Second Reading

I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out.

From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,

those weeping as not weeping,

those rejoicing as not rejoicing,

those buying as not owning,

those using the world as not using it fully.

For the world in its present form is passing away.

-1 Corinthians 7:29-31

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Gospel

After John had been arrested,

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:

"This is the time of fulfillment.

The kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent, and believe in the gospel."

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,

he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;

they were fishermen.

Jesus said to them,

"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.

He walked along a little farther

and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.

They too were in a boat mending their nets.

Then he called them.

So they left their father Zebedee in the boat

along with the hired men and followed him.

-Mark 1:14-20

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Jonah is a great casual Bible read. It's only four pages long in my Bible. Jonah doesn't want to preach to the people of Nineveh, because he wants them to die. He flees to what is now modern-day Spain, which I find crazy. I didn't realize just how connected the Iron Age Mediterranean was. Then the whale thing happens, and he repents. And then Nineveh repents. And then Jonah sits outside and pouts about it because he didn't want them to. Jonah is an interesting character, probably the least saintly prophet.

My mom said I would burn in heck if I don't accept Jesus as my savior

I have a right to be mad about her saying that to me right?

I was in the car with her( I forgot what brought it up), and she said he will come down and save us one day. She knows I have never chose to believe in it ( I have stayed respectful to her and the rest of my family), despite sending me to a Cristian private school my entire life. I rolled my eyes after she said that, and she responded with “fine if you choose not to Acept him as your lord and savior then you will just burn in heck.

The thing that hurts the most is that she honestly doesn't see anything wrong with that. I rightfully got mad and asked her if she just told me to burn in heck? And she goes on defense and says I'm twisting her words.

There is nothing to twist, she told me either I choose to not believe or I will burn in heck/ that plain and simple

She follows up with saying if I get so offended by it that must mean I do believe…..no I get offended because my own mom just told me to burn in heck

I just need an opinion on how to evaluate this

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. - Acts 2:38

Your mom is showing how bad religion has manipulated people. She is willing to turn her back on her child because other people told her “it's the right way”. So sad.

imagine caring about your son's salvation

I can't stand it when people do that! I am a Christian and I do believe in God/Jesus. However, I understand that God doesn't want us to love Him solely because we're afraid of going to heck. He wants it to be our choice and He doesn't want that choice to be forced. He doesn't want to be shoved down anyone's throats. It's one thing to teach someone about God, but to try to force them to believe will just continue to push them further away from him or have them believing out of fear and that's not a good thing.

this is how reddit "christians" think

Except there isn't a heck. So, it's not too messed up tbh. Churches are strange with their little storybooks.

i am euphoric.

Your mom is in a cult.

There is no hate like christian 'love'. They insist that everyone must secretly believe what they believe because they just can't fathom that anyone doesn't. They don't understand how people can be good people without the fear of burning in hellfire if they don't - because being kept on a leash with threats is the only thing stopping them from being WORSE people, and they think that they must be wonderful and great and perfect so if THEY want to do those bad things, everyone else must, right? They don't understand that most of us genuinely don't want to hurt others and do bad things, and we don't need the threat of being burned forever to be decent people.

Just ignore her and plan for when you can get out and go LC with her. Once you're out, anytime she starts bringing up religion? Hang up, get in your car and go home, leave. Make it clear that you won't tolerate her crap.

She's been brainwashed and there's not much you can do about that. All you can do is alter how you personally interact with her - which, in the case of cultists, usually means interacting with them less or not at all.

anyone with different beliefs than me is brainwashed

Discuss.

A lot of talk about politics but not a single mention of faith, which is a bit weird coming from a spiritual leader in my opinion.

A bit too neolib-y for my taste, while I don't disagree with the overall message, personally I am wary of introducing means to police and guide businesses for social goals as introducing such measures in the first place opens them for corruption and abuse, allowing the people in power to guide these entities against common social interests just as well. A situation like that would be even more damaging than businesses not being socially involved in the first place, and in my humble opinion is what we're seeing now to an extent.

Sexual pleasure "is a gift from God" which is being "undermined by pornography," Pope Francis told an audience at the Vatican on Wednesday. The pontiff's address came after it emerged that his head of doctrine penned a sexually explicit book in the 1990s.

"Winning the battle against lust, against the 'objectification' of the other, can be a lifelong endeavor," Pope Francis declared, before denouncing pornography as a manifestation of "the demon of lust."

The search for sexual pleasure outside of a loving relationship "can generate forms of addiction" and "turns into a chain that deprives human beings of freedom," the pontiff continued. He called on Catholics to reject "satisfaction without relationship" and practice "pure love in the giving of oneself to the other."

Nothing about Pope Francis' speech broke with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states that anyone involved in producing or watching porn commits a "grave offense." Pornography "offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other," the doctrinal church document explains.

The pontiff may have chosen to focus his speech on the topic in light of a recent controversy, in which his newly promoted chief of doctrine, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, was condemned by conservative Catholics for a book he wrote in 1998 on spirituality and sensuality.

Now out of print, the book featured graphic descriptions of the female orgasm that conservatives argue should have been beyond the knowledge of a supposedly celibate priest, as the cardinal was at the time of its publication.

Fernandez touched on porn in the book, remarking that women could be just as "aroused by hardcore pornography" as men, according to the Catholic News Agency.

The pontiff has broken with Catholic tradition on several occasions in recent years, offering statements of support for LGBTQ activists in 2021 and 2022, and updating Church doctrine in December to allow priests to bless same-s*x couples in some circumstances. Cardinal Fernandez wrote the doctrinal text explaining this change.

Despite liberalizing some elements of Catholic doctrine, Pope Francis has continued to rail against pornography, even within the ranks of the clergy.

Erotica is a vice that has affected "so many people, so many lay people, so many lay women and also priests and nuns," he said in an address to seminarians in 2022. The pontiff called on priests to delete pornographic apps and websites from their phones, warning that "it is something that weakens the soul."

"The devil enters from there," he continued. "He weakens the priestly heart."

Pope Francis' Instagram page, which is managed by the Holy See's media team, made headlines in 2020 after 'liking' a racy photo of bikini model Natalia Garibotto. The papal office launched an internal investigation into the incident, the Catholic News Agency reported at the time.

"This isn't dogma, just my thought: I like to think of hell as being empty. I hope it is. I hope the demons are all here, where we can hunt them." https://t.co/vyRak5JqI4 pic.twitter.com/t4BCbO9aGf

— RandomSprint (@RandomSprint) January 16, 2024

!catholics !christians it is time

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First Reading

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD

where the ark of God was.

The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, "Here I am."

Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me."

"I did not call you, " Eli said. "Go back to sleep."

So he went back to sleep.

Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.

"Here I am, " he said. "You called me."

But Eli answered, "I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep."

At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD,

because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.

The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time.

Getting up and going to Eli, he said, "Here I am. You called me."

Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.

So he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,

Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."

When Samuel went to sleep in his place,

the LORD came and revealed his presence,

calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!"

Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,

not permitting any word of his to be without effect.

-1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I have waited, waited for the LORD,

and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.

And he put a new song into my mouth,

a hymn to our God.

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or offering you wished not,

but ears open to obedience you gave me.

Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;

then said I, "Behold I come."

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,

to do your will, O my God, is my delight,

and your law is within my heart!"

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;

I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

-Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

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Second Reading

Brothers and sisters:

The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord,

and the Lord is for the body;

God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?

But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.

Avoid immorality.

Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,

but the immoral person sins against his own body.

Do you not know that your body

is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,

whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

For you have been purchased at a price.

Therefore glorify God in your body.

-1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20

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Gospel

John was standing with two of his disciples,

and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,

"Behold, the Lamb of God."

The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.

Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,

"What are you looking for?"

They said to him, "Rabbi" — which translated means Teacher —,

"where are you staying?"

He said to them, "Come, and you will see."

So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,

and they stayed with him that day.

It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,

was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.

He first found his own brother Simon and told him,

"We have found the Messiah" — which is translated Christ —.

Then he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said,

"You are Simon the son of John;

you will be called Cephas" — which is translated Peter.

-John 1:35-42

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"The immoral person commits sins against his own body." !transphobes discuss.

!catholics !christians Happy Epiphany of the Lord!

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First Reading

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,

the glory of the Lord shines upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth,

and thick clouds cover the peoples;

but upon you the LORD shines,

and over you appears his glory.

Nations shall walk by your light,

and kings by your shining radiance.

Raise your eyes and look about;

they all gather and come to you:

your sons come from afar,

and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,

your heart shall throb and overflow,

for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,

the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.

Caravans of camels shall fill you,

dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;

all from Sheba shall come

bearing gold and frankincense,

and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

-Isaiah 60:1-6

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (cf. 11. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

O God, with your judgment endow the king,

and with your justice, the king's son;

He shall govern your people with justice

and your afflicted ones with judgment.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Justice shall flower in his days,

and profound peace, till the moon be no more.

May he rule from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;

the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.

All kings shall pay him homage,

all nations shall serve him.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,

and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.

He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;

the lives of the poor he shall save.

R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

-Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

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Second Reading

Brothers and sisters:

You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace

that was given to me for your benefit,

namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.

It was not made known to people in other generations

as it has now been revealed

to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:

that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,

and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

-Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

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Gospel

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,

in the days of King Herod,

behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?

We saw his star at its rising

and have come to do him homage.”

When King Herod heard this,

he was greatly troubled,

and all Jerusalem with him.

Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,

He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,

for thus it has been written through the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

since from you shall come a ruler,

who is to shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod called the magi secretly

and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said,

“Go and search diligently for the child.

When you have found him, bring me word,

that I too may go and do him homage.”

After their audience with the king they set out.

And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,

until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star,

and on entering the house

they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They prostrated themselves and did him homage.

Then they opened their treasures

and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,

they departed for their country by another way.

-Matthew 2:1-12

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I think I will become a wizard soon, as the Magi were able to accurately foretell the coming of Christ via astrology.

Have any of you skellies and fat fricks fasted for religious reasons? How long did you go for and with what schedule/restrictions? What was your experience?

!christians

Real !christmaschads celebrate all 12 days of Christmas

(Orthodox Christmas is tomorrow so we get to start again )

Autobots fight for Christ.

• Homosexuals.

• Lesbians.

• Trans.

• Homoparental families.

• Lesboparental families.

• Diverse families.

• Adulterers.

• Fornicators.

• Those who live in a free union.

• The civilly married.

• The divorced and remarried.

• The divorced who live in common law.

• Those who have children outside of marriage.

• Those who do not recognize children.

• Those who have had s*x with a woman with menstruation.

• Those who have slept with their neighbor's wife (cheating).

• Those who do not keep the Sabbath for the Lord

• The drunks.

• Those who visit prostitutes.

• The practitioners of onanism

• Those who adore images.

• Those who sow and gather the fallen fruits.

• Those who participate in games of chance (lottery, Christmas, lotto, scratch cards).

• Those who steal (even if it is a pencil).

• Those who have impure thoughts and desires.

• Those who swear in vain.

• Those who covet other people's goods.

• Those who lie.

• Those who cheat.

• Those who swear falsely.

• Those who do not sanctify the holidays (go to the beach at Easter).

• Those who oppress and deprive others.

• Those who issue unfair sentences.

• Those who do favors for the poor.

• Those who slander others.

• Those who hate the brother.

• The spiteful ones.

• Those who take revenge.

• Those who sow their fields with two different kinds of grain.

• Those who wear clothes woven with threads of two kinds.

• Those who practice witchcraft and astrology (read the horoscope).

• Those who shave their head round.

• Those who cut the edges of their beard.

• Those with tattoos on their body.

• Those who consult witches.

• Those who do not stand up to the elderly.

• Those who charge úsura interest (garroteras).

• They make idols and raise statues and monuments.

• Those who criticize.

• Those who use contraceptive methods.

• Those who have s*x before marriage.

• Those who have s*x for non-reproductive purposes.

• Those who have s*x for pleasure.

• Those who eat shrimp.

I'll see ALL of you in heck 😂😂😂🙋‍♂️

besides the fact that none of these are true, which ones are u in for, dramanauts?

Methodist Church of England labels “husband” and “wife” offensive terms.

Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/bjLZp5cDsX

— AF Post (@AFpost) January 2, 2024

!catholics !christians my apologies for being late, I was very busy yesterday, as my family was hosting a New Year's party. Fun fact: today is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, which is normally a Holy Day of Obligation, but it isn't this year, because it's on a Monday. This also applies for days when it's on a Saturday. I will post yesterday's readings, as I didn't do so yesterday.

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First Reading

The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying:

“Fear not, Abram!

I am your shield;

I will make your reward very great.”

But Abram said,

“O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts be,

if I keep on being childless

and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?”

Abram continued,

“See, you have given me no offspring,

and so one of my servants will be my heir.”

Then the word of the LORD came to him:

“No, that one shall not be your heir;

your own issue shall be your heir.”

The Lord took Abram outside and said,

“Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.

Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.”

Abram put his faith in the LORD,

who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

The LORD took note of Sarah as he had said he would;

he did for her as he had promised.

Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age,

at the set time that God had stated.

Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his

whom Sarah bore him.

-Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (7a , 8a) The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;

make known among the nations his deeds.

Sing to him, sing his praise,

proclaim all his wondrous deeds.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

Glory in his holy name;

rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!

Look to the LORD in his strength;

constantly seek his face.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

You descendants of Abraham, his servants,

sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

He, the LORD, is our God;

throughout the earth his judgments prevail.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

He remembers forever his covenant

which he made binding for a thousand generations

which he entered into with Abraham

and by his oath to Isaac.

R. The Lord remembers his covenant for ever.

-Psalms 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

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Second Reading

Brothers and sisters:

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place

that he was to receive as an inheritance;

he went out, not knowing where he was to go.

By faith he received power to generate,

even though he was past the normal age

--and Sarah herself was sterile--

for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.

So it was that there came forth from one man,

himself as good as dead,

descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky

and as countless as the sands on the seashore.

By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,

and he who had received the promises was ready to offer

his only son,

of whom it was said,

“Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”

He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,

and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

-Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19

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Gospel

When the days were completed for their purification

according to the law of Moses,

They took him up to Jerusalem

to present him to the Lord,

just as it is written in the law of the Lord,

Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,

and to offer the sacrifice of

a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,

in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.

This man was righteous and devout,

awaiting the consolation of Israel,

and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit

that he should not see death

before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

He came in the Spirit into the temple;

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus

to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,

He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go

in peace, according to your word,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and glory for your people Israel.”

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;

and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

“Behold, this child is destined

for the fall and rise of many in Israel,

and to be a sign that will be contradicted

—and you yourself a sword will pierce—

so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

There was also a prophetess, Anna,

the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

She was advanced in years,

having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.

She never left the temple,

but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

And coming forward at that very time,

she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child

to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions

of the law of the Lord,

they returned to Galilee,

to their own town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;

and the favor of God was upon him.

-Luke 2:22-40

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Something I'm curious about is what Abraham got up to in the first 75 years of his life, before God entered a covenant with him. A history textbook I had in grade school said he was probably a priest at the great ziggurat in Ur.

Redditors in the thread are joyless dry c*nts, but prots are unwell.

!catholics !christians my family went to the vigil Mass so I'll use those readings.

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First Reading

For Zion's sake I will not be silent,

for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,

until her vindication shines forth like the dawn

and her victory like a burning torch.

Nations shall behold your vindication,

and all the kings your glory;

you shall be called by a new name

pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.

You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,

a royal diadem held by your God.

No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”

or your land “Desolate,”

but you shall be called “My Delight,”

and your land “Espoused.”

For the LORD delights in you

and makes your land his spouse.

As a young man marries a virgin,

your Builder shall marry you;

and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride

so shall your God rejoice in you.

-Isaiah 62:1-5

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David my servant:

Forever will I confirm your posterity

and establish your throne for all generations.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;

in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.

At your name they rejoice all the day,

and through your justice they are exalted.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

He shall say of me, “You are my father,

my God, the rock, my savior.”

Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,

and my covenant with him stands firm.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

-Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29

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Second Reading

When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,

he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said,

“Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.

The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors

and exalted the people during their sojourn in the

land of Egypt.

With uplifted arm he led them out of it.

Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;

of him he testified,

‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;

he will carry out my every wish.'

From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,

has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.

John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance

to all the people of Israel;

and as John was completing his course, he would say,

‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.

Behold, one is coming after me;

I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'”

-Acts 13:16-17, 22-25

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Gospel

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,

but before they lived together,

she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,

yet unwilling to expose her to shame,

decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph, son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit

that this child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill

what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

    and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

When Joseph awoke,

he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took his wife into his home.

He had no relations with her until she bore a son,

and he named him Jesus.

-Matthew 1:18-25

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God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay! Remember Christ our Savior was born this very day.

!catholics !christians sorry this is late, I am very busy with my family

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First Reading

When King David was settled in his palace,

and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,

he said to Nathan the prophet,

"Here I am living in a house of cedar,

while the ark of God dwells in a tent!"

Nathan answered the king,

"Go, do whatever you have in mind,

for the LORD is with you."

But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:

"Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD:

Should you build me a house to dwell in?'

"It was I who took you from the pasture

and from the care of the flock

to be commander of my people Israel.

I have been with you wherever you went,

and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.

And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.

I will fix a place for my people Israel;

I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place

without further disturbance.

Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,

since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.

I will give you rest from all your enemies.

The LORD also reveals to you

that he will establish a house for you.

And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,

I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,

and I will make his kingdom firm.

I will be a father to him,

and he shall be a son to me.

Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;

your throne shall stand firm forever."

-2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

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Responsorial Psalm

R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;

through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.

For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";

in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David my servant:

Forever will I confirm your posterity

and establish your throne for all generations."

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,

my God, the Rock, my savior.'

Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,

and my covenant with him stands firm."

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

-Psalms 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

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Second Reading

Brothers and sisters:

To him who can strengthen you,

according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,

according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages

but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,

according to the command of the eternal God,

made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,

to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ

be glory forever and ever. Amen.

-Romans 16:25-27

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Gospel

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin's name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

"Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel,

"How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?"

And the angel said to her in reply,

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word."

Then the angel departed from her.

-Luke 1:26-38

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I like how the fourth week of Advent this year is only one day long.