Thursday in the 1st Week of Advent
Featured Saints
St. Habakkuk. Prophet of the Old Testament who, in face of the iniquity and violence of men, proclaimed both God’s judgement and divine mercy.
St. Silverius, Pope and martyr († 537). Refusing to reinstate Anthimus, the heretical bishop of Constantinople, he was, by order of Empress Theodora, exiled to the island of Palmaria, Italy, where he died.
St. Chromatius of Aquileia, Bishop († 407). Transforming his father’s house into a monastery, there he led an ascetic life. At the death of Valerianus, the archbishop of Aquileia (northeastern Italy), the faithful acclaimed him as the successor. He favored the Church’s growth with his preaching, and was particularly skilled in resolving disputes of his time.
St. Bibiana, martyr. Victim of the persecution of Julian the Apostate in the fourth century.
Blessed Ivan Slezyuk, Bishop and martyr († 1973). He tirelessly exercised his episcopal ministry in hiding among the Ukrainian faithful of Byzantine Rite. Arrested and sentenced twice by the communist government, he spent a total of 15 years in forced labour camps in Russia and in prisons in Ukraine.
Blessed John van Ruysbroeck, priest († 1381). He retired with two companions to Groenendael (Belgium) to lead a life of recollection under the rule of St. Augustine. A great mystic, he wrote several works of spirituality.
Blessed Maria Angela Astorch, abbess (†1665). A Clarist nun who was a model of penance and humility.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”
Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a (R.26a)
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes. R.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior. R.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light. R.
Gospel – Mt 7:21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
