Friday of the 1st Week of Advent
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 29:17-24
Thus says the Lord GOD: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; all who are alert to do evil will be cut off, those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of the house of Jacob, Who redeemed Abraham: Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, They shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 (R. 1a)
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? R.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate His temple. R.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. R.
Gospel – Mt 9:27-31
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When He entered the house, the blind men approached Him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to Him. Then He touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of Him through all that land.
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.
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