Universalis

19 December First reading Judges 13:2-7,24-25 ‘You will conceive and bear a son’ There was a man of Zorah of the tribe of Dan, called Manoah. His wife was barren, she had borne no children. The angel of the Lord appeared to this woman and said to her, ‘You are barren and have had no … Read moreFri 19 December

18 December First reading Jeremiah 23:5-8 I will raise a virtuous Branch for David See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks –when I will raise a virtuous Branch for David,who will reign as true king and be wise,practising honesty and integrity in the land.In his days Judah will be savedand Israel dwell … Read moreThu 18 December

17 December First reading Genesis 49:2,8-10 Until he comes, the sceptre will not pass from Judah Jacob called his sons and said:‘Gather round, sons of Jacob, and listen;listen to Israel your father.Judah, your brothers shall praise you:you grip your enemies by the neck,your father’s sons shall do you homage,Judah is a lion cub,you climb back, … Read moreWed 17 December

Tuesday of the 3rd week of Advent First reading Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13 All peoples shall invoke the Lord’s name and serve him Trouble is coming to the rebellious, the defiled,the tyrannical city!She would never listen to the call,would never learn the lesson;she has never trusted in the Lord,never drawn near to her God. Yes, I will … Read moreTue 16 December

Monday of the 3rd week of Advent First reading Numbers 24:2-7,15-17 The oracles of Balaam Raising his eyes Balaam saw Israel, encamped by tribes; the spirit of God came on him and he declaimed his poem. He said:‘The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,the oracle of the man with far-seeing eyes,the oracle of one who … Read moreMon 15 December

3rd Sunday of Advent First reading Isaiah 35:1-6,10 God himself is coming to save you Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult,let the wasteland rejoice and bloom,let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil,let it rejoice and sing for joy. The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it,the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;they shall see … Read moreSun 14 December

Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr First reading 2 Corinthians 10:17-11:2 I arranged for you to marry Christ If anyone wants to boast, let him boast of the Lord. It is not the man who commends himself that can be accepted, but the man who is commended by the Lord.I only wish you were able to tolerate … Read moreSat 13 December

Friday of the 2nd week of Advent, or Our Lady of Guadalupe First reading Isaiah 48:17-19 If you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you,I lead … Read moreFri 12 December

Thursday of the 2nd week of Advent, or Saint Damasus I, Pope First reading Isaiah 41:13-20 I, the Holy One of Israel, am your redeemer I, the Lord, your God,I am holding you by the right hand;I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid,I will help you.’ Do not be afraid, Jacob, poor worm,Israel, puny mite.I … Read moreThu 11 December

Wednesday of the 2nd week of Advent, or Our Lady of Loreto First reading Isaiah 40:25-31 The Lord strengthens the powerless ‘To whom could you liken meand who could be my equal?’ says the Holy One.Lift your eyes and look.Who made these starsif not he who drills them like an army,calling each one by name?So … Read moreWed 10 December