The MGCP BEC Advanced Training is currently on its Cycle B. Study sessions are held at the Parish Hall from 9:00 AM - 12 NN. Each sessions have two parts: the first session is a lectio cursiva of the Old Testament. The second part, lasting for an hour and a half, is Cell Leadership Enhancement Training directed towards helping cell leaders improve their familiarity with Scriptures. This part of the training is programmed where lessons in exegesis, theology and leadership principles are given.
Don't miss the following articles that are relevant for outlining a bible passage.
- Outlining a Bible Passage I
- Outlining a Bible Passage II
- Outlining a Bible Passage III: Colossians
- Outlining a Bible Passage IV: Working on Themes
- Colossians 1:24-2:3 A Sample Outline
Outlining is useful for presenting a passage for others; it is also useful for cataloguing the biblical ideas you discover in the study of Scriptures.
The Lenten Sundays that precede Passion Sunday are thematically arranged in the following way:
- Sundays I and II: The Victory in which the Christian is called to participate
- Sundays III – V: Sin No More: To Victory through Conversion and Repentance
Below is a schedule of the Gospel readings for Year C
| Date | Sundays in Lent | Gospel Theme |
| February 21 | Sunday I | Luke 4:1-13, “The Temptation in the Desert” |
| February 28 | Sunday II | Luke 9, 28-36, “The Transfiguration” |
| March 7 | Sunday III | Luke 13:1-9, “Sayings on the Need to Repent” |
| March 14 | Sunday IV | Luke 15, “The Parables of the Lost and Found” |
| March 21 | Sunday V | John 8:1-11, “The Woman Caught in Adultery” |
| March 28 | Passion Sunday | Luke 22:14-23:49, “The Passion According to Luke” |
For the first Sunday of Lent, the Temptation in the Desert is presented for our reflection. It should remind us of the struggle against Satan which the Christian life is.
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1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
The liturgy for the 6th Sunday of OT (C) highlights the Beatitudes as one finds it in Luke 6:20-26. Seeing the large number of disciples gathered before him, Jesus proclaims, using the language of blessings and woes, who are his real disciples. They are those who listen to his words and perform them, like the man who builds his house on a solid foundation (6:48). But because they heed his words, they suffer losses: they go hungry, they weep, they are reduced to poverty. They are blessed, not because they are hungry or poor or because they weep; they are blessed because they are so for the sake of Christ (vv. 22-23).
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
Luke rewrites the story of Simon’s vocation within the context of a miraculous catch of fish. Simon the fisherman is commanded by a carpenter from Nazareth to put out the nets. Simon obeys even when he knows that the sea has refused to yield its fruits to him. The catch of fish occurs and Simon immediately recognizes Jesus as the one who has made it possible. The success of evangelization is not due to human technology but to the Lord who makes the crop increase and yield its fruits. And it is the Lord too who chooses whom He wills to become a partner in his enterprise.
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
The fourth Sunday offers us two second parts: Paul’s hymn to Love which continues the theme of the Church’s unity and diversity, and the second part of Luke’s narration of Jesus’ inauguration of the Year of the Lord’s Favor of Luke 4:14-30. The Pauline selection from 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that in the Christian community, the primary value is that of love — that love by which we respond to the divine love manifested to us on the cross of Christ. Jesus’ ministry was never a bed of roses. This is something that anyone wishing to walk on the roads of evangelization should remember. Like the prophets before him, Jesus too would be rejected; and that rejection will reach its climax on the cross of Calvary.
Relevant Articles
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.
15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.
16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
19To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
22And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?
23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.
24And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.
26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.
28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.
The third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C coincides this year with the conclusion of National Bible Week, a yearly celebration that reminds the Filipino Catholic of the importance of reading the Scriptures as a preparation for or a prolungation of the Liturgy of the Word. Luke’s coverletter for Theophilus underscores the supplementary nature of the Gospel he writes. Theophilus has received the proclamation of the apostles in the form of catechesis and Luke sends him a copy of his account of the Gospel as a help for Theophilus to deepen his newly received faith. The section on the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Nazareth underlines the fulfillment of the whole of Scriptures, which is Jesus Himself.
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.
15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.
16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
19To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
22And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?
23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.
24And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.
26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.
28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.
The Solemnity of the Holy Child is a feast specially dear to Filipinos. Here we commemorate in a special way, not only the childhood of the Lord, but also the beginnings of evangelization in the Philippines. It should be remembered that when the Augustinian friars began their work in the islands, the image of the Holy Child brought some years before by the group of Magellan was discovered and put under their custory. Today, there is a shrine for that image in Cebu, a temple now called the Basilica of Sto. Nino de Cebu. The image is a reminder of something spiritual. Reflecting on the image in the key of Augustine’s “Totus Christus”, it can serve as a reminder that Catholics in the Philippines should be like an infant that is in continuous longing of the things that only the God can give, as is sung in the Offertory Song of the feast.
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.
15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.
16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
19To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
22And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?
23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.
24And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.
26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.
28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.
The Visit of the Magi, the Baptism of the Lord and the wedding at Cana are events that the liturgy has associated to Epiphany, the manifestation of the Lord to the world. At the beginning of Ordinary Time (Year C), we make present again the Baptism of the Lord where He accepted his mission as the Suffering Servant and where the Voice from heaven confirmed it. In the gospel account of Luke, Jesus receives the heavenly theophany (an “eye-ear theophanic event”) while he is at prayer. The Baptism of the Lord reminds us of our own baptism and our participation in the Divine Sonship. It also reminds us of the importance of prayer as we gain a deeper knowledge of what the Father wants of us.
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.
15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.
16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
19To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
22And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?
23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.
24And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.
26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.
28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.
For the Church in the Philippines, December 16-24 is a special period in Advent. During these days, we celebrate the Simbang Gabi, a. k. a. Misa del Gallo — a series of Masses that begin at 4 AM. These are masses where the Gloria is sung and the vestment worn is white. By intent then, these are days that already share in the joy of the Christmas feast.
The readings for December 17-24 have been fixed; this will be affected only in the cases when a Sunday (usually the 4th Sunday of Advent) falls within these days. In that case, the Sunday readings prevail. For the Church in the Philippines where the Simbang Gabi begins on the 16th of December, the readings for that day is fixed by the CBCP (see Ordo). The readings for the Simbang Gabi of December 16 are as follows:
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1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.
15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.
16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
19To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
22And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?
23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.
24And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.
26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.
28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.
The fourth Sunday of Advent is the Sunday that immediately precedes Christmas. The liturgy is already heavy with motifs of the Incarnation. We read the prophecy about Bethlehem where the Messiah will be born and the mystery of the Incarnation presented through a psalm. In the Gospel reading, Mary brings Jesus, "Yeshua" (= Salvation) to Elizabeth and to the yet unborn John.
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.
15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.
16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
19To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
22And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?
23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.
24And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.
26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.
28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.
The first Sunday of Advent drew our attention to the reality of our expectation. The Lord comes, but it is not for us something that should cause anxiety but hope. The second Sunday of Advent gave us the figure of John the Baptist who as a type of the Church proclaims the coming of the Lord. The Church is the Baptist of the last days, preparing the world for the Lord’s Parousia. This Sunday, called “Rejoice Sunday”, is like the third watch of the night, the time when the cock begins to crow announcing the nearness of dawn. The liturgy invites us to rejoice but also to conversion and to produce “fruits of repentance.”
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.
15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.
16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
19To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
22And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?
23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.
24And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.
26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.
28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.
For the second Sunday of Advent (Year C), three images are given to us: the Church in eschatological raiments of glory (Baruch), the Church living in hope for the Day of Christ (Paul) and the Church, type of the Baptist, which proclaims the coming “salvation of God”. The liturgical readings bring out an atmosphere of joy (Baruch) of expectation (Luke) and of a longing that is filled with hope (Paul). The responsorial psalm itself invites to rejoicing (Psalm 126:3), to hope (Psalm 126:4) and expectation (Psalm 126:1-2)
Read the rest of this entry »
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.
15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.
16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
19To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
22And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?
23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.
24And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.
26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.
28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.
3The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.
4Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south.
The first Sunday of Advent focuses on the life of the Christian as they await the Coming of the Lord. Paul prays for the Thessalonians that they may be preserved for the coming of the Lord. The Apostle however also adds that the Christian community should also live in the manner that pleases God, that is according to the tradition received from the apostle. Luke who was a companion of Paul has modified the Marcan eschatological discourse so as to underline the Christian attitude and lifestyle: confidence and assurance in the grace of God who preserves them from the catastrphes of the end times, prayer and vigilance as they live their daily lives in faith, hope and love. Read the rest of this entry »
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert,
2For the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.
3And the devil said to him: If thou be the Son of God, say to this stone that it be made bread.
4And Jesus answered him: It is written, that Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5And the devil led him into a high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time;
6And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power, and the glory of them; for to me they are delivered, and to whom I will, I give them.
7If thou therefore wilt adore before me, all shall be thine.
8And Jesus answering said to him: It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.
10For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.
11And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.
1And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?
3No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen upon whom the tower fell in Siloe, and slew them: think you, that they also were debtors above all the men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
6He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
7And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it done therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
8But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
9And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
1And Jesus went unto mount Olivet.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him, and sitting down he taught them.
3And the scribes and the Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst,
4And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?
6And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground.
7When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
9But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst.
10Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?
11Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.
14And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer.
16For I say to you, that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17And having taken the chalice, he gave thanks, and said: Take, and divide it among you:
18For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come.
19And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
20In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.
21But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22And the Son of man indeed goeth, according to that which is determined: but yet, woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed.
23And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
20And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.
22Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For according to these things did their fathers to the prophets.
24But woe to you that are rich: for you have your consolation.
25Woe to you that are filled: for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh: for you shall mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
14And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee, and the fame of him went out through the whole country.
15And he taught in their synagogues, and was magnified by all.
16And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
17And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
19To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
20And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
22And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of Joseph?
23And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself: as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country.
24And he said: Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
25In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth.
26And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.
27And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.
28And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.
29And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.
3The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.
4Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south.
