First reading
Isaiah 35:1–6, 10
God himself is coming to save you.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 145(146): 6–10
R. Lord, come and save us.
Second reading
James 5:7–10
Do not lose heart; the Lord’s coming will be soon.
Gospel acclamation
Isaiah 61:1 (Luke 4:18)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor.
Gospel
Matthew 11:2–11
‘A greater than John the Baptist has never been seen.’
Images from the Word
- Look for another
- What you hear and see
- Fine clothing
- Here is your God
- Be patient
Liturgical notes
The Council of Trent already recognized the great catechetical value contained in the celebration of Mass but was unable to bring out all its consequences in regard to actual practice. In fact, many were pressing for permission to use the vernacular in celebrating the Eucharistic Sacrifice; but the Council, weighing the conditions of that age, considered it a duty to answer this request with a reaffirmation of the Church’s traditional teaching, according to which the Eucharistic Sacrifice is, first and foremost, the action of Christ himself, and therefore its proper efficacy is unaffected by the manner in which the faithful take part in it.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §11
We have grown up with the expectation that our liturgy will be in the vernacular. Clearly Vatican II took up what had been planned at Trent and was able to implement this change.
‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.’
—entrance antiphon