Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection December 24, 2024
Fourth Week of Advent
24th December 2024 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 4
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.” But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in? “‘It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his Kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”
Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 (R. 2)
R/. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 1:67-79
Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, born of the house of his servant David. Through his prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Tuesday – Fourth Week of Advent
Guidelines: In a world where ingratitude is becoming a norm, we are expected to be loud and clear voices of gratitude and praise for God’s infinite mercy and generosity
1. Today’s gospel contains the Benedictus of Zechariah. As we know, this has striking similarities with Mary’s Magnificat. The very fact that these both became integral parts of our Lauds and Vespers indicates their preeminence.
2. They are not mere praises by two individuals. The Benedictus in today’s gospel is not merely an exuberant vote of thanks. It is actually the fundamental gratitude that the whole owes to God. It is the voice of a humble soul that has experienced the magnitude of God’s mercy and proclaims it aloud.
3. The Benedictus is a rich container, manifestation, and acclamation of God’s saving nature, and actions. It underlies What God is to us, what He does, What happens to our life, and what we are expected to do.
4. God is the most “blessed” because He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation. He shows tender mercy and renews the covenant. He gives light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. He would save us from our enemies.
5. This experience of God leads to a duty of a way of living and a mission of doing His will. That is, we are called to be prophets, to prepare his ways. We must serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness all our days. And we need to work to give knowledge of salvation to all in the forgiveness of their sins.
Practice: As we experience God’s immense mercy, we must be profoundly grateful. This gratitude must be translated into an authentic way of living and concrete actions of renewal
