2nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINT PRISCA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
Psalter II
GREEN
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 65: 4
All the earth shall bow down before you, O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5–6
The Lord said to me: You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, the Lord says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:2, 4, 7–8, 8–9, 10
R/ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
- I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.
- Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.”
- In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart! »
- I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O Lord, know.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1–3
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Acclamation: John 1:14a, 12a
Alleluia, alleluia. The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: John 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 heaven 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.”
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that we may participate worthily in these mysteries, for whenever the memorial of this sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is accomplished. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 22: 5
You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst.
Prayer after Communion
Pour on us, O Lord, the Spirit of your love, and in your kindness make those you have nourished by this one heavenly Bread one in mind and heart. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Do you truly understand what it means to be a Christian? It is not just about going to Church on Sundays, reciting prayers or obeying certain rules; it about establishing and maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A Christian is a follower of Christ, and you cannot be a follower of Christ if you do not have a bond with him. In order to establish this bond, you have to believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God, that is, the one who gave himself as sacrifice to take your sins away and make you a child of God. This belief should be present in your mind in whatever you do. Whenever you pray or attend mass, you should know that you are going to encounter your Saviour who is your Lord and your God. Whenever you receive Holy Communion, you should know that you are receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, which is food for your soul. In your daily activities, you should know that you are accompanied by your Lord and King, and through your words and actions you have to make him present in the world.