Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Zeph 3:1-2, 9-13
Thus says the LORD: Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! She hears no voice, accepts no correction; In the LORD she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near. For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, That they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord; From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings. On that day You need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; For then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, And you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; Nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; They shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23 (R.78)
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad. R.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him. R.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them. R.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him. R.
Gospel – Mt 21:28-32
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”
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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