Lectio Div Catholic Gospel

From the responsorial psalm: “For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 2:1-12)

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

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From the responsorial psalm: “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 1:29-34)

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."

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. At his appearance, John states the mission and identity of Jesus so that he is made known to Israel, and as John testifies, that he is proclaimed as the Son of God. Although a cousin to Jesus, John says "I did not know him." Trusting God, the one who sent him, John recognizes Jesus not from human senses but from divine revelation as the Holy Spirit descends and remains on Jesus. . . . [more]

From the responsorial psalm: “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 1:19-28)

John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing."

Today's Gospel begins with priests and Levites questioning John the Baptist about his identity. John denies that he is the Christ or Elijah. When they ask him if he is the Prophet, he says no, and they then ask him who he is so they can share the answer with those who sent them. John replies, “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert . . . .

From the responsorial psalm: “May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. May God bless us in his mercy."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 2:16-21)

All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Luke describes what happens after the angel appears to the shepherds and says, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." In obedience to the angel's message, the shepherds travel in haste to Bethlehem to find Jesus. . . . (more)

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From the responsorial psalm: “Give to the LORD, you families of nations, give to the LORD glory and praise; give to the LORD the glory due his name! Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!"

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:36-40)

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.

After the presentation of Jesus in the temple, the prophetess Anna comes forward to Joseph and Mary and, as John tells us, "gave thanks to God . . .

From the responsorial psalm: “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; your children like olive plants around your table. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Lk 2:41-52)

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them.

Luke tells us the story of Jesus at the age of twelve during a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with his parents for the Feast of the Passover. After the feast, Mary and Joseph begin their journey home, assuming Jesus was with them in the caravan of travelers. Returning to Jerusalem,

Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs

From the responsorial psalm: “Had not the LORD been with us— When men rose up against us, then would they have swallowed us alive, When their fury was inflamed against us. Our soul has been rescued like a bird from the fowler's snare."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 2:13-18)

When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.

Matthew describes the events surrounding the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt to escape King Herod's decree to kill all male infants in Bethlehem. An attempt to maintain absolute control, . . .

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