by Norbert Doulanni | Dec 1, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Bibiana
Psalter: Week I
Purple
Her parents were martyred in the persecution of Julian the Apostate, and Bibiana and her sister Demetria were turned over to a woman named Rufina who tried to force her into prostitution. Upon her continued refusal, Bibiana was imprisoned in a mad house, and then flogged to death.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Zec 14: 5, 7
Behold, the Lord will come, and all his holy ones with him; and on that day there will be a great light.
Collect
Look with favour, Lord God, on our petitions, and in our trials grant us your compassionate help, that, consoled by the presence of your Son, whose coming we now await, we may be tainted no longer by the corruption of former ways. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
First reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrusts from his roots: on him the spirit of the Lord rests, a spirit of wisdom and insight, a spirit of counsel and power, a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (The fear of the Lord is his breath.) He does not judge by appearances, he gives no verdict on hearsay, but judges the wretched with integrity, and with equity gives a verdict for the poor of the land. His word is a rod that strikes the ruthless, his sentences bring death to the wicked. Integrity is the loincloth round his waist, faithfulness the belt about his hips. The wolf lives with the lamb, the panther lies down with the kid, calf and lion feed together, with a little boy to lead them. The cow and the bear make friends, their young lie down together. The lion eats straw like the ox. The infant plays over the cobra’s hole; into the viper’s lair the young child puts his hand. They do no hurt, no harm, on all my holy mountain, for the country is filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters swell the sea. That day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples. It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 71(72):1-2,7-8,12-13,17
R/ In his days justice shall flourish, and peace till the moon fails.
O God, give your judgement to the king, to a king’s son your justice, that he may judge your people in justice and your poor in right judgement.
In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails. He shall rule from sea to sea, from the Great River to earth’s bounds.
For he shall save the poor when they cry and the needy who are helpless. He will have pity on the weak and save the lives of the poor.
May his name be blessed for ever and endure like the sun. Every tribe shall be blessed in him, all nations bless his name.
Gospel Acclamation: Ps84:8
Alleluia, alleluia! Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 10:21-24
Filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, Jesus said: ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’ Then turning to his disciples he spoke to them in private, ‘Happy the eyes that see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers and offerings, and, since we have no merits to plead our cause, come, we pray, to our rescue with the protection of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. 2 Tm 4: 8
The Just Judge will bestow a crown of righteousness on those who eagerly await his coming.
Prayer after Communion
Replenished by the food of spiritual nourishment, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, through our partaking in this mystery, you may teach us to judge wisely the things of earth and hold firm to the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Upon careful consideration of Jesus’ words in today’s gospel, there seems to be an element of confusion. He says: “I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children.” It is essential to take these words literally because Jesus intends to convey that He reveals Himself to those with open and humble hearts, possessing a childlike simplicity. Conversely, He does not reveal Himself to those who are proud and arrogant. The lesson for Christians today lies in cultivating childlike simplicity, characterised by unwavering faith in God in all matters, recognising God as their Father. Moreover, it is imperative to emulate Christ in all our interactions.
by Norbert Doulanni | Nov 30, 2025 | Evangelium
Blessed Clementine Anuarite
(1939 – 1964)
Psalter: Week I
Red
Nengepeta Anuarite was born in Zaire in 1939. In 1955 she joined the Religious Institute of the “Holy Family”. In 1964 she, and the whole community, were kidnapped by the Simba rebels. Anuarite was killed on 1 December 1964 having refused to be the wife of the Colonel.
Entrance Antiphon :Jer 31: 10; Is 35: 4
Hear the word of the Lord, O nations;declare it to the distant lands:Behold, our Saviour will come; you need no longer fear.
Collect
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,as we await the advent of Christ your Son,so that, when he comes and knocks,he may find us watchful in prayerand exultant in his praise.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Isaiah 4:2-6
That day, the branch of the Lordshall be beauty and glory,and the fruit of the earthshall be the pride and adornmentof Israel’s survivors.Those who are left of Zionand remain of Jerusalemshall be called holyand those left in Jerusalem, noted down for survival.When the Lord has washed awaythe filth of the daughter of Zionand cleansed Jerusalem of the blood shed in herwith the blast of judgement and the blast of destruction,the Lord will come and reston the whole stretch of Mount Zionand on those who are gathered there,a cloud by day, and smoke,and by night the brightness of a flaring fire.For, over all, the glory of the Lordwill be a canopy and a tentto give shade by day from the heat,refuge and shelter from the storm and the rain.
Responsorial Psalm :Psalm 121(122):1-2,4-5,6-9
R/ I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’ And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray: ‘Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!’
For love of my brethren and friends I say: ‘Peace upon you!’ For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good.
Gospel Acclamation :Ps79:4
Alleluia, alleluia! God of hosts, bring us back: let your face shine on us and we shall be saved. Alleluia!
Gospel
When Jesus went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralyzed, and in great pain.’ ‘I will come myself and cure him’ said Jesus. The centurion replied, ‘Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, we pray, O Lord, these offerings we make, gathered from among your gifts to us, and may what you grant us to celebrate devoutly here below gain for us the prize of eternal redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon :Ps 105: 4-5; Is 38: 3
Come, O Lord, visit us in peace, that we may rejoice before you with a blameless heart.
Prayer after Communion
May these mysteries, O Lord, in which we have participated, profit us, we pray, for even now, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us by them to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what endures. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s Gospel, a Roman centurion approaches Jesus, seeking a cure for his servant. Astonishingly, Jesus responds, “I will come and cure him.” This response leaves the Pharisees shocked, as they consider the centurion a gentile, akin to a dog, a contemptible animal. Moreover, any Jew entering a gentile’s house is deemed religiously unclean. Despite this, the centurion simply asks Jesus just to utter a word, believing it will bring healing to his servant. This episode underscores the centurion’s unwavering faith and trust in the power of God, and his genuine care and concern for his sick servant. He prioritises his servant’s wellbeing over religious conventions. This serves as a reminder for us not to despise anyone on any grounds whatsoever, as God’s love extends to all.
by Norbert Doulanni | Nov 29, 2025 | Evangelium
1st Sunday of Advent
Psalter: Week I
Purple
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 24: 1-3
To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.
Collect
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Isaiah 2:1-5
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In the days to come shall tower above the mountains and be lifted higher than the hills. All the nations will stream to it, peoples without number will come to it; and they will say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths; since the Law will go out from Zion, and the oracle of the Lord from Jerusalem.’ He will wield authority over the nations and adjudicate between many peoples; these will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war. O House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Psalm 121(122):1-2,4-5,6-9
R/ I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’ And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.
It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray: ‘Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!’ For love of my brethren and friends I say: ‘Peace upon you!’ For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good.
Second reading : Romans 13:11-14
You know ‘the time’ has come: you must wake up now: our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted. The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon – let us give up all the things we prefer to do under cover of the dark; let us arm ourselves and appear in the light. Let us live decently as people do in the daytime: no drunken orgies, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealousy. Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps84:8
Alleluia, alleluia! Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 24:37-44
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it be when the Son of Man comes. For in those days before the Flood people were eating, drinking, taking wives, taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away. It will be like this when the Son of Man comes. Then of two men in the fields one is taken, one left; of two women at the millstone grinding, one is taken, one left. ‘So stay awake, because you do not know the day when your master is coming. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what time of the night the burglar would come, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed anyone to break through the wall of his house. Therefore, you too must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, we pray, O Lord, these offerings we make, gathered from among your gifts to us, and may what you grant us to celebrate devoutly here below gain for us the prize of eternal redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 84: 13
The Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.
Prayer after Communion
May these mysteries, O Lord, in which we have participated, profit us, we pray, for even now, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us by them to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what endures. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Gospel reading invites us to reflect on the themes of watchfulness and preparation. Jesus speaks of the days of Noah when people were living their lives without any anticipation of the flood that was to come. They were caught unprepared. Similarly, He warns us to be vigilant as we do not know the day or hour of His return. Advent, a season of waiting and preparation, reminds us of Christ’s promise to return. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth during Advent, we should also bear in mind His imminent return. This season calls us to watch for signs of His presence in our lives and to be ready to meet Him whenever He comes. Given the busy natures of our lives, it is easy to become distracted and lose focus of what truly matters. Advent invites us to slow down, reassess our priorities and rekindle our relationship with God. It provides an opportunity to seek reconciliation, forgiveness, and living with hope and expectation. In Advent, let us be prepared to celebrate Christ’s birth and anticipate His glorious return. May we live with hope, faith, and love, as we await His coming so that when He knocks at the door of our hearts, we may open it with joy.
by Norbert Doulanni | Nov 28, 2025 | Evangelium
Saturday memorial of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Saint Saturninus
Psalter: Week II
Green
Saint Saturninus was bishop of Toulouse and Martyr. He converted a great number of idolaters by his preaching and miracles. This is all the account we have of him till the time of his holy martyrdom. The martyrdom of this saint probably happened m the reign of Valerian in 257.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 84: 9
The Lord speaks of peace to his people and his holy ones and to those who turn to him.
Collect
Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord, that, striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Daniel 7:15-27
I, Daniel, was deeply disturbed and the visions that passed through my head alarmed me. So I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him to tell me the truth about all this. And in reply he revealed to me what these things meant. “These four great beasts are four kings who will rise from the earth. Those who are granted sovereignty are the saints of the Most High, and the kingdom will be theirs for ever, for ever and ever.” Then I asked to know the truth about the fourth beast, different from all the rest, very terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, eating, crushing and trampling underfoot what remained; and the truth about the ten horns on its head – and why the other horn sprouted and the three original horns fell, and why this horn had eyes and a mouth that was full of boasts, and why it made a greater show than the other horns. This was the horn I had watched making war on the saints and proving the stronger, until the coming of the one of great age who gave judgement in favour of the saints of the Most High, when the time came for the saints to take over the kingdom. This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is to be a fourth kingdom on earth, different from all other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it underfoot and crush it. As for the ten horns: from this kingdom will rise ten kings, and another after them; this one will be different from the previous ones and will bring down three kings; he is going to speak words against the Most High, and harass the saints of the Most High. He will consider changing seasons and the Law, and the saints will be put into his power for a time, two times, and half a time. But a court will be held and his power will be stripped from him, consumed, and utterly destroyed. And sovereignty and kingship, and the splendours of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty and every empire will serve and obey him.’
Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3:82-87
R/ Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Sons of men! bless the Lord.
Israel! bless the Lord.
Priests! bless the Lord.
Servants of the Lord! bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the virtuous! bless the Lord.
Devout and humble-hearted men! bless the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation : Mt24:42,44
Alleluia, alleluia! Stay awake and stand ready, because you do not know the hour when the Son of Man is coming. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 21:34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the sacred offerings which at your bidding we dedicate to your name and, in order that through these gifts we may become worthy of your love, grant us unfailing obedience to your commands. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 116: 1, 2
O praise the Lord, all you nations, for his merciful love towards us is great.
Prayer after Communion
We pray, almighty God, that those to whom you give the joy of participating in divine mysteries may never be parted from you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns his disciples to be vigilant, cautioning them against becoming entangled in debauchery, drunkenness, and the cares of life. He underscores the importance of constant readiness because the Son of Man will come unannounced. Jesus’ warning to be vigilant serves as a reminder for us to be prepared for the end of our lives, living each day as if it were our last. Several practices can help us maintain vigilance. Firstly, regularl prayer helps us to stay focused on God and maintain proper priorities. Secondly, consistent reading of the Bible provides wisdom and guidance for holy and righteous lives. Thirdly, receiving the Eucharist regularly nourishes our souls with the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Last, but not least, a regular confession of our sins ensures our souls are sinless and prepared for any eventuality. The timing of the Son of Man’s arrival remains unknown. It could happen today, tomorrow, or in the future. While the exact time is uncertain, we know for certain that he will come.
by Norbert Doulanni | Nov 25, 2025 | Evangelium
\Saint Leonard of Porto Maurizio
(1676 – 1751)
Psalter: Week II
White
Leonard was born in Porto Maurizio in 1676. He joined the Franciscan order and for forty-seven years preached, wrote letters and sermons, and travelled the whole length of Italy. The popularity of the Stations of the Cross is much due to the impetus he gave to the devotion. He died at Rome in 1751.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 84: 9
The Lord speaks of peace to his people and his holy ones and to those who turn to him.
Collect
Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord, that, striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Daniel 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28
King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for his noblemen; a thousand of them attended, and he drank wine in company with this thousand. As he sipped his wine, Belshazzar gave orders for the gold and silver vessels to be brought which his father Nebuchadnezzar had looted from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, so that the king, his noblemen, his wives and his singing women could drink out of them. The gold and silver vessels looted from the sanctuary of the Temple of God in Jerusalem were brought in, and the king, his noblemen, his wives and his singing women drank out of them. They drank their wine and praised their gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone. Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared, and began to write on the plaster of the palace wall, directly behind the lamp-stand; and the king could see the hand as it wrote. The king turned pale with alarm: his thigh-joints went slack and his knees began to knock. Daniel was brought into the king’s presence; the king said to Daniel, ‘Are you the Daniel who was one of the Judaean exiles brought by my father the king from Judah? I am told that the spirit of God Most Holy lives in you, and that you are known for your perception, intelligence and marvellous wisdom. As I am told that you are able to give interpretations and to unravel difficult problems, if you can read the writing and tell me what it means, you shall be dressed in purple, and have a chain of gold put round your neck, and be third in rank in the kingdom.’ Then Daniel spoke up in the presence of the king. ‘Keep your gifts for yourself,’ he said ‘and give your rewards to others. I will read the writing to the king without them, and tell him what it means. You have defied the Lord of heaven, you have had the vessels from his Temple brought to you, and you, your noblemen, your wives and your singing women have drunk your wine out of them. You have praised gods of gold and silver, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone, which cannot either see, hear or understand; but you have given no glory to the God who holds your breath and all your fortunes in his hands. That is why he has sent the hand which, by itself, has written these words. The writing reads: Mene, Mene, Tekel and Parsin. The meaning of the words is this: Mene: God has measured your sovereignty and put an end to it; Tekel: you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting; Parsin: your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.’
Responsorial Psalm : Daniel 3:62-67
R/ Give glory and eternal praise to him!
Sun and moon! bless the Lord.
Stars of heaven! bless the Lord.
Showers and dews! all bless the Lord.
Winds! all bless the Lord.
Fire and heat! bless the Lord.
Cold and heat! bless the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation : Lk21:36
Alleluia, alleluia! Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to stand with confidence before the Son of Man. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 21:12-19
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the sacred offerings which at your bidding we dedicate to your name and, in order that through these gifts we may become worthy of your love, grant us unfailing obedience to your commands. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 116: 1, 2
O praise the Lord, all you nations, for his merciful love towards us is great.
Prayer after Communion
We pray, almighty God, that those to whom you give the joy of participating in divine mysteries may never be parted from you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that following Him may bring forth challenges and difficulties, including persecution, betrayal, and hatred. Instead of discouraging us, these words serve to prepare us for the realities of the Christian journey. In the face of trials, Jesus assures us of His constant presence and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, emphasising that we are not alone in our struggles. He provides the strength and wisdom needed to bear witness to our faith. He instructs his disciples to endure persecution, underlying endurance as the key to overcoming trials and tribulations. When we endure persecution with patience and humility, we show the world that our faith is real and worth fighting for. Therefore, when confronted with challenges in our Christian journey, let us take heart. Through faith and endurance, we can find strength and growth even in all trials. Our ultimate hope resides in the promise of eternal life, where every challenge will find its true significance and purpose.
by Norbert Doulanni | Nov 24, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Catherine of Alexandria,
Virgin, Martyr (d. 305)
Psalter: Week II
White
St Catherine was very outspoken at the time of the persecutions of Christians. She even protested openly to the emperor Maxentius who had her arrested, tortured on the wheel and decapitated in 305. St Catherine’s courage is a great challenge to all African Christians in their struggle for justice and peace.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 84: 9
The Lord speaks of peace to his people and his holy ones and to those who turn to him.
Collect
Stir up the will of your faithful, we pray, O Lord, that, striving more eagerly to bring your divine work to fruitful completion, they may receive in greater measure the healing remedies your kindness bestows. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Daniel 2:31-45
Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar, ‘You have had a vision, O king; this is what you saw: a statue, a great statue of extreme brightness, stood before you, terrible to see. The head of this statue was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet part iron, part earthenware. While you were gazing, a stone broke away, untouched by any hand, and struck the statue, struck its feet of iron and earthenware and shattered them. And then, iron and earthenware, bronze, silver, gold all broke into small pieces as fine as chaff on the threshing-floor in summer. The wind blew them away, leaving not a trace behind. And the stone that had struck the statue grew into a great mountain, filling the whole earth. This was the dream; now we will explain to the king what it means. ‘You, O king, king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength and glory – the sons of men, the beasts of the field, the birds of heaven, wherever they live, he has entrusted to your rule, making you king of them all – you are the golden head. And after you another kingdom will rise, not so great as you, and then a third, of bronze, which will rule the whole world. There will be a fourth kingdom, hard as iron, as iron that shatters and crushes all. Like iron that breaks everything to pieces, it will crush and break all the earlier kingdoms. The feet you saw, part earthenware, part iron, are a kingdom which will be split in two, but which will retain something of the strength of iron, just as you saw the iron and the clay of the earthenware mixed together. The feet were part iron, part earthenware: the kingdom will be partly strong and partly weak. And just as you saw the iron and the clay of the earthenware mixed together, so the two will be mixed together in the seed of man; but they will not hold together any more than iron will blend with earthenware. In the time of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not pass into the hands of another race: it will shatter and absorb all the previous kingdoms, and itself last for ever – just as you saw the stone untouched by hand break from the mountain and shatter iron, bronze, earthenware, silver and gold. The great God has shown the king what is to take place. The dream is true, the interpretation exact.’
Responsorial Psalm : Psalm Daniel 3:57-61
R/ Give glory and eternal praise to him!
All things the Lord has made, bless the Lord.
Angels of the Lord! all bless the Lord.
Heavens! bless the Lord.
Waters above the heavens! bless the Lord.
Powers of the Lord! all bless the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation : Lk21:28
Alleluia, alleluia! Stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 21:5-11
When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’ ‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the sacred offerings which at your bidding we dedicate to your name and, in order that through these gifts we may become worthy of your love, grant us unfailing obedience to your commands. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Ps 116: 1, 2
O praise the Lord, all you nations, for his merciful love towards us is great.
Prayer after Communion
We pray, almighty God, that those to whom you give the joy of participating in divine mysteries may never be parted from you. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus’ warnings about the end times are not intended to instill fear in us but rather to prepare us for them. His desire is for us to be ready for whatever may come. Rather than a source of fear, the end times signify a period of new beginnings. As the old world passes away, a new world emerges, one charactrised by peace, justice, and love. However, to partake in this new world, we must be ready. This readiness involves cleansing ourselves of sins and turning towards God. Living holy and righteous lives becomes integral to this readiness. To prepare for the end times, consistent prayer, regular Bible reading, attendance at Mass, frequent confession of sins, and the pursuit of a holy and righteous life, are crucial. Engaging in these practices ensures our preparedness for the transformative period ahead. Through these actions, we will be ready to enter the new world that God is preparing for us.
