First reading
Isaiah 61:1–2, 10–11
He has sent me to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord.
Responsorial psalm
Luke 1:46–50, 53–54R. My soul rejoices in my God.
Second reading
1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
May you all be kept safe for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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
John 1:6–8, 19–28
‘There stands among you the one coming after me.’
Images from the Word
- Sent by God
- Who are you?
- Voice that cries
- Anointed me
- God called you
Liturgical notes
Now the centre and high point of the entire celebration begins, namely, the Eucharistic Prayer itself, that is, the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification … Furthermore, the meaning of this Prayer is that the whole congregation of the faithful joins with Christ in confessing the great deeds of God and in the offering of Sacrifice.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §78
Clearly this high point of the Mass is not a time to retreat into private, devotional prayer; rather it is a time when we are called to exercise our baptismal priesthood by giving thanks and offering sacrifice. The ordained presider leads us in this time of active, conscious participation by his proclamation of the eucharistic prayer. Our role is not a passive one during this prayer, but we must give content to the words being proclaimed as we name in our heart our thanks and offer our sacrifice from the week that has passed.
‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near’
—entrance antiphon