Daily Reading for Sunday, December 29th, 2024

Reading 1, Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14

² for the Lord honours the father above his children and upholds the rights of a mother over her sons.

³ Whoever respects a father expiates sins,

⁴ whoever honours a mother is like someone amassing a fortune.

⁵ Whoever respects a father will in turn be happy with children, the day he prays for help, he will be heard.

⁶ Long life comes to anyone who honours a father, whoever obeys the Lord makes a mother happy.

¹² My child, support your father in his old age, do not grieve him during his life.

¹³ Even if his mind should fail, show him sympathy, do not despise him in your health and strength;

¹⁴ for kindness to a father will not be forgotten but will serve as reparation for your sins.

Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

¹ [Song of Ascents] How blessed are all who fear Yahweh, who walk in his ways!

² Your own labours will yield you a living, happy and prosperous will you be.

³ Your wife a fruitful vine in the inner places of your house. Your children round your table like shoots of an olive tree.

⁴ Such are the blessings that fall on those who fear Yahweh.

⁵ May Yahweh bless you from Zion! May you see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life,

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Gospel, Luke 2:41-52

⁴¹ Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.

⁴² When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual.

⁴³ When the days of the feast were over and they set off home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it.

⁴⁴ They assumed he was somewhere in the party, and it was only after a day's journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances.

⁴⁵ When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

⁴⁶ It happened that, three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions;

⁴⁷ and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.

⁴⁸ They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, 'My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.'

⁴⁹ He replied, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'

⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he meant.

⁵¹ He went down with them then and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart.

⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with people.

Reading 2, Colossians 3:12-21

¹² As the chosen of God, then, the holy people whom he loves, you are to be clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity and humility, gentleness and patience.

¹³ Bear with one another; forgive each other if one of you has a complaint against another. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same.

¹⁴ Over all these clothes, put on love, the perfect bond.

¹⁵ And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together in one body. Always be thankful.

¹⁶ Let the Word of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God;

¹⁷ and whatever you say or do, let it be in the name of the Lord Jesus, in thanksgiving to God the Father through him.

¹⁸ Wives, be subject to your husbands, as you should in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be sharp with them.

²⁰ Children, be obedient to your parents always, because that is what will please the Lord.

²¹ Parents, do not irritate your children or they will lose heart.

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