Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).

First reading
2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16

‘The Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.’

In those days: The word of the Lord came to Nathan, ‘Go and tell my servant David, “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me. Your throne shall be established for ever.” ’

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 89(88):2-3. 4-5. 27, 29. ℟37a

His descendants shall continue for ever.

I will sing for ever of your mercies, O Lord;

through all ages my mouth will proclaim your fidelity.

I have declared your mercy is established for ever;

your fidelity stands firm as the heavens.

His descendants shall continue for ever.

‘With my chosen one I have made a covenant;

I have sworn to David my servant:

I will establish your descendants for ever,

and set up your throne through all ages.’

His descendants shall continue for ever.

‘He will call out to me, “You are my father,

my God, the rock of my salvation”.

I will keep my faithful love for him always;

with him my covenant shall last.’

His descendants shall continue for ever.

Second reading
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22

‘In hope he believed against hope.’

Brothers and Sisters: The promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

That is why it depends on faith; in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring, not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. As it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’. In the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead, and calls into existence the things that do not exist; in hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations — as he had been told, ‘So shall your offspring be’. That is why his faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness’.

Gospel Acclamation	Psalm 84(83):5

Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord,

for ever singing your praise.

Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

Gospel
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

‘Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.’

Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.

Christian Art

Each day, The Christian Art website gives a picture and reflection on the Gospel of the day.

The readings on this page are from the English Standard Version, which is used at Mass in Great Britain. The Jerusalem Bible (which is used at Mass in much of the English-speaking world) will appear instead if you set this page to use a calendar from outside Great Britain. The New American Bible readings, which are used at Mass in the United States, are available in the Universalis apps, programs and downloads.

You can also view this page with the New Testament in Greek and English.