Christmas Season, Wednesday before Epiphany
Optional Memorial of The Most Holy Name of Jesus. Numerous scriptural references provide the basis for a lively devotion to the holiest and most powerful of all names, furthered by the preaching of many saints. The liturgical commemoration began in local churches and was extended to the Universal Church in 1751.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Jn 2:29–3:6
If you consider that God is righteous, you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness is begotten by Him. See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope based on Him makes himself pure, as He is pure. Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. You know that He was revealed to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. No one who remains in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or known Him.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6 (R. 3cd)
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for He has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for Him,
His holy arm. R.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise. R.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD. R.
Gospel – Jn 1:29-34
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ I did not know Him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that He might be made known to Israel.” John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon Him. I did not know Him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Now I have seen and testified that He is the Son of God.”
Featured Saints
St. Genevieve, virgin (†circa 500). At age 15 she received the veil of the virgins from St. Germain of Auxerre. Patroness of Paris, she consoled the inhabitants of the city, terrorized by the barbarian menace and aided them in time of famine.
St. Anterus, Pope (†236). Of Greek origin, he governed the Church for only 40 days. He was the first Pope buried in the Catacombs of St. Calixtus.
St. Daniel, deacon and martyr (†c. 304). Deacon of the Church of Padua, Italy, where he was martyred during the persecutions of Diocletian.
St. Gordius of Caesarea, martyr (†304). Roman centurion put to death for confessing his belief in Jesus, Son of God.
St. Theogenes, martyr (†320). Imprisoned, tortured and thrown into the sea in Parium, present-day Turkey, for refusing to enlist for military service, in detriment to the Faith.
St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, priest (†1871). Founded the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of Mary Immaculate in Mannanam, India; collaborated in the founding of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Mother of Carmel.
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