Sacred Liturgy: Liturgy of the Word


THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
 Sunday within the Octave of Christmas 
 Year A

First Reading
Those who fear the Lord honor their parents.

A reading from the Book of Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

            God sets a father in honor  over his children; a mother's authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays, is heard. Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father  when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him; revile him not all the days of his life; kindness to afather will not be forgotten, firmly planted against the debt of your sins --a house raised in justice to you.

  

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5
R/. "Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways" 

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

            who walks in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
         blessed you be, and favored.
R/. "Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways"

                          

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine

            in the recesses of your home;

your children like olive plants
            around your table.
R/. "Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways"

 

Behold, thus is the man blessed

            who fears the Lord.

The Lord bless youfrom Zion:
           may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
           all the days of your life.
R/. "Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways"


Second Reading
Family  life in the Lord.

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians 3: 12-21

            Brothers and sisters: Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved , heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond os perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. and be thankful. Let the word of God  dwell in you richtly, as in all wisdom you each and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord. Husbands, love your wifes, and aoid any bitterness toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged. "


 

Gospel
Take the child and his mother, and flee into Egypt
 

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 2: 13-15, 19-23            

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. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son.

When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” He rose, took the child and his mother,
and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there.
And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled,  He shall be called a Nazorean.


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