First Reading
Sirarch 3: 3- 7, 14- 16
| 3:3 | For God has honored the father in the sons, and, when seeking the judgment of the mother, he has confirmed it in the children. |
| 3:4 | He who loves God will plead with him on behalf of sins, and will keep himself away from sin, and will be heeded in the prayers of his days. |
| 3:5 | And, like one who stores up treasure, so also is he who honors his mother. |
| 3:6 | He who honors his father will find happiness in his own children, and he will be heeded in the day of his prayer. |
| 3:7 | He who honors his father will live a long life. And he who obeys his father will be a refreshment to his mother. |
| 3:14 | Son, support your father in his old age, and do not grieve him in his life. |
| 3:15 | And if his mind should fail, show kindness; and do not spurn him when you are in your strength. For almsgiving to the father will never be forgotten. |
| 3:16 | For even in return for the sin of the mother, good will be repaid to you. |
Or:
Genesis 15: 1- 6, 21: 1- 3
| 15:1 | And so, these things having been transacted, the word of the Lord came to Abram by a vision, saying: “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your protector, and your reward is exceedingly great.” |
| 15:2 | And Abram said: “Lord God, what will you give to me? I may go without children. And the son of the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus.” |
| 15:3 | And Abram added: “Yet to me you have not given offspring. And behold, my servant born in my house will be my heir.” |
| 15:4 | And immediately the word of the Lord came to him, saying: “This one will not be your heir. But he who will come from your loins, the same will you have for your heir.” |
| 15:5 | And he brought him outside, and he said to him, “Take in the heavens, and number the stars, if you can.” And he said to him, “So also will your offspring be.” |
| 15:6 | Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice. |
| 21:1 | Then the Lord visited Sarah, just as he had promised; and he fulfilled what he had spoken. |
| 21:2 | And she conceived and gave birth to a son in her old age, at the time that God had foretold to her. |
| 21:3 | And Abraham called the name of his son, whom Sarah bore for him, Isaac. |
Second Reading
Colossians 3: 12-21
3:12 Therefore, clothe yourselves like the elect of God: holy and beloved, with hearts of mercy, kindness, humility, modesty, and patience.
3:13 Support one another, and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive one another. For just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also must you do.
3:14 And above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.
3:15 And let the peace of Christ lift up your hearts. For in this peace, you have been called, as one body. And be thankful.
3:16 Let the word of Christ live in you in abundance, with all wisdom, teaching and correcting one another, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing to God with the grace in your hearts.
3:17 Let everything whatsoever that you do, whether in word or in deed, be done all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
3:18 Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.
3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter toward them.
3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things. For this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children to indignation, lest they lose heart.
Or:
Hebrews 11: 8, 11- 12, 17- 19
| 11:8 | By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. |
| 11:11 | By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised. |
| 11:12 | Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a mulititude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable. |
| 11:17 | By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son. |
| 11:18 | To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,” |
| 11:19 | indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable. |
Gospel
Luke 2: 22- 40
| 2:22 | And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord, |
| 2:23 | just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,” |
| 2:24 | and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” |
| 2:25 | And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him. |
| 2:26 | And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. |
| 2:27 | And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law, |
| 2:28 | he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said: |
| 2:29 | “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word. |
| 2:30 | For my eyes have seen your salvation, |
| 2:31 | which you have prepared before the face of all peoples: |
| 2:32 | the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” |
| 2:33 | And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him. |
| 2:34 | And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted. |
| 2:35 | And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” |
| 2:36 | And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity. |
| 2:37 | And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day. |
| 2:38 | And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel. |
| 2:39 | And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth. |
| 2:40 | Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him. |