Monday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a
When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe, the spirit of God came upon him, and he gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of a man whose eye is true, The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled: How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your encampments, O Israel! They are like gardens beside a stream, like the cedars planted by the LORD. His wells shall yield free-flowing waters, he shall have the sea within reach; His king shall rise higher, and his royalty shall be exalted. Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true, The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled. I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.
Responsorial Psalm – 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9 (R.4)
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior. R.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your kindness are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD. R.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way. R.
Gospel – Mt 21:23-27
When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Featured Saints
Prophet Haggai. In the time of Zerubbabel, ruler of Judah, he exhorted the people to reconstruct the Temple.
St. Adelaide, empress (†999). A Burgundian princess who became the spouse of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I. She demonstrated great charity toward the indigent and contributed to the Church’s growth in the empire, building several churches and monasteries.
St. Ado of Vienne, bishop (†875) Of noble birth, he renounced the world and became a Benedictine monk. He wrote an updated Roman Martyrology, published in 858. He became the archbishop of Vienne, reforming the clergy there, and firmly opposing the unlawful remarriage of Lothair II, king of Lorraine.
St. Eberhard, confessor (†867). Duke of Friuli and important figure in the Holy Roman Empire. He founded a monastery of Canons Regular in Cysoing, France, to which his remains were transferred some years after his death.
Blessed Sebastian Maggi, priest (†1496). Italian Dominican religious and eminent theologian, he exercised the office of prior in several houses of his Order, striving to re-establish the observance as promoted by St. Catherine of Sienna and Blessed Raymond of Capua. He died at the monastery of Santa Maria di Castello in Genoa.
Blessed Honorat of Biala Podlaska, priest (†1916). Capuchin priest, he dedicated himself to administering the Sacrament of Penance, preaching the Gospel and consoling prisoners. He died in Nowe Miasto, Poland.
Blessed Clemente Marchisio, priest (†1903). Parish priest from Rivalba, Italy; he founded the Institute of the Daughters of St. Joseph.
Blessed Philip Siphong Onphitak, martyr (†1940). Lay catechist and father of a family and who was shot for his Faith during the religious persecution in Thailand.
Blessed Mary of the Angels Fontanella, virgin (†1717). At age 15 she entered the Carmel of Turin, Italy, and eventually became prioress. She left many writings on the spiritual life.
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