Saturday, December 13

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr – Year A

First Reading – Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11

Then the prophet Eli′jah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch. He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in number. By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times brought down fire. How glorious you were, O Eli′jah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have? You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire; you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written, to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob. Blessed are those who saw you, and those who have fallen asleep in your love; for we also shall surely live, but our name, after death, will not be such. 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 80:2 and 3, 15-16, 18-19

℟ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manas′seh! Stir up your might, and come to save us!

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

℟ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

The stock which your right hand planted. 

They have burned it with fire, they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your countenance!

℟ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name!

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! let your face shine, that we may be saved!

℟ Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Alleluia - Luke 3:4, 6

℟ Alleluia!

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

All flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

℟ Alleluia!

Gospel – Matthew 17:9-13

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of man is raised from the dead.”  And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Eli′jah must come?” He replied, “Eli′jah does come, and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Eli′jah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, Ignatius Press, Copyright ⓒ 2006.