First Reading
Mic 5,1-4
The Lord says this: you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, so small that you are hardly named
among the clans of Judah, from you shall I raise the one who is to rule over Israel. For
he comes forth from of old, from the ancient times. Yahweh, therefore, will abandon
Israel until such time as she who is to give birth has given birth. Then the rest of his
deported brothers will return to the people of Israel. He will stand and shepherd his
flock with the strength of Yahweh, in the glorious Name of Yahweh, his God. They
will live safely while he wins renown to the ends of the earth. He shall be peace.
When the Assyrian invades our land and sets foot on our territory, we will raise against
him not one but seven shepherds, eight warlords.
Responsorial Psalm
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who rest in the shadow of the Almighty,
Shine forth before Ephraim,
Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might and come to save us.
Turn again, O Lord of hosts,
look down from heaven and see;
care for this vine,
and protect the stock your hand has planted.
But lay your hand on your instrument,
on the son of man
whom you make strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn away from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
Second Reading
Heb 10, 5-10
This is why on entering the world, Christ says: You did not desire sacrifice and
offering; 6 you were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said:
"Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. I will do your will, O God." First he
says: Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire nor were
you pleased with them - although they were required by the Law. Then he says: Here I
am to do your will. This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new.
Now, by this will of God, we are sanctified at once by the sacrifice of the body of
Christ Jesus.
Gospel
Lk 1,39-45
Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her
womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, "You are
most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the
mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the
baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's
word would come true!"