A prayer that faithful may know the love of Christ
This is what I pray, kneeling before the Father, from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name:
Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God.
Glory be to him whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine; glory be to him from generation to generation in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 32(33):1-2,4-5,11-12,18-19
Gospel Acclamation
Jn8:12
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
anyone who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!
Or:
Ph3:8-9
Alleluia, alleluia!
I have accepted the loss of everything
and I look on everything as so much rubbish
if only I can have Christ
and be given a place in him.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Luke 12:49-53
How I wish it were blazing already!
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!
‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’
Nothing is changing
In England, Wales and Scotland, the translation of the readings used at Mass is changing. Your current calendar setting is “Africa – Nigeria”, so you will not be affected by this change.
This message will disappear at the end of December.
The responsorial psalms at Mass cannot be displayed on the Web, for copyright reasons. The Universalis apps and programs do contain these psalms.
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 Jerusalem Bible, which is used at Mass in most of the English-speaking world. 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 Gospel in Greek and English.
Get Universalis — and change your life! Readings at Mass Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II). First reading Philemon 7-20 He is a slave no longer, but a dear brother in the Lord I am so delighted, and comforted, to know of your love; they tell me, brother, how you have put new heart into the…
Listen to the podcast! Readings at Mass Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II). First reading Hosea 2:16,17-18,21-22 I will betroth you to myself and you will come to know the name of the Lord It is the Lord who speaks: I am going to lure her and lead her out into the wilderness and speak to…
Get Universalis — and change your life! Readings at Mass Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II). First reading Daniel 12:1-3 Some will wake to everlasting life, some to shame and disgrace ‘At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who mounts guard over your people. There is going to be a time of great…
Get Universalis — and change your life! Readings at Mass Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II). First reading Ephesians 6:1-9 Duties in domestic life Children, be obedient to your parents in the Lord – that is your duty. The commandment that has a promise attached to it is: Honour your father and mother, and the promise is:…