12/04/23

First Reading: Mark 1:1-4 

1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

 "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

 who will prepare your way;

 3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

 'Prepare the way of the Lord,

 make his paths straight,'"

4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Gospel:Isaiah 40:1-11

1Comfort, O comfort my people,

 says your God.

 2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

 and cry to her

 that she has served her term,

 that her penalty is paid,

 that she has received from the LORD's hand

 double for all her sins.

 3A voice cries out:

 "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,

 make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

 4Every valley shall be lifted up,

 and every mountain and hill be made low;

 the uneven ground shall become level,

 and the rough places a plain.

 5Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

 and all people shall see it together,

 for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

 6A voice says, "Cry out!"

 And I said, "What shall I cry?"

 All people are grass,

 their constancy is like the flower of the field.

 7The grass withers, the flower fades,

 when the breath of the LORD blows upon it;

 surely the people are grass.

 8The grass withers, the flower fades;

 but the word of our God will stand forever.

 9Get you up to a high mountain,

 O Zion, herald of good tidings;

 lift up your voice with strength,

 O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,

 lift it up, do not fear;

 say to the cities of Judah,

 "Here is your God!"

 10See, the Lord GOD comes with might,

 and his arm rules for him;

 his reward is with him,

 and his recompense before him.

 11He will feed his flock like a shepherd;

 he will gather the lambs in his arms,

 and carry them in his bosom,

 and gently lead the mother sheep.