Friday, January 2
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
First Reading – 1 John 2:22-28
Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. Any one who denies the Son does not have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life. I write this to you about those who would deceive you; but the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
℟ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
℟ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The Lord has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
℟ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
℟ All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Alleluia - Hebrews 1:1-2
℟ Alleluia!
In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the ages.
℟ Alleluia!
Gospel – John 1:19-28
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Eli’jah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” And he answered, “No.” They said to him then, Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of the one crying in the wilderness, ‘Male straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Eli’jah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” This took place in Beth’any beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, Ignatius Press, Copyright ⓒ 2006.
