Tuesday, 16 December 2025 Tuesday, Third week of Advent

Send us Fan MailTuesday, 16 December 2025Tuesday, Third week of AdventAntiphons and Readings on p. 76 of the Daily Missal.Entrance Antiphon.Behold, the Lord will come, and all his holy ones with him; and on that day there will be a great light.First Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-2.9-13A reading from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah.Thus says the Lord: “Woe to her that is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city!She listens to no voice,she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord,she does not draw near to her God. “Yes, at that time I will change the speech of the peoplesto a pure speech,that all of them may call on the name of the Lordand serve him with one accord.From beyond the rivers of Ethiopiamy suppliants, the daughter of my dispersed ones,shall bring my offering.“On that day you shall not be put to shamebecause of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;for then I will remove from your midstyour proudly exultant ones,and you shall no longer be haughtyin my holy mountain.For I will leave in the midst of youa people humble and lowly.They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord,those who are left in Israel;they shall do no wrongand utter no lies,nor shall there be found in their moutha deceitful tongue.For they shall pasture and lie down,and none shall make them afraid.”The Word of the Lord.Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3.6-7.17-18.19 & 23 (R. see 7a)R/. The lowly one called, and the Lord heard him.I will bless the Lord at all times;praise of him is always in my mouth.In the Lord my soul shall make its boast;the humble shall hear and be glad.Look toward him and be radiant;let your faces not be abashed.This lowly one called; the Lord heard,and rescued him from all his distress.The Lord turns his face against the wickedto destroy their remembrance from the earth.When the just cry out, the Lord hears,and rescues them in all their distress.The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;those whose spirit is crushed he will save.The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants.All who trust in him shall not be condemned.R/. The lowly one called, and the Lord heard him.Alleluia, Alleluia.Come, O Lord, do not delay; release your people’s burdens.Alleluia.Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.At that time: Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, “What do you think? A man had two sons; and he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he repented and went. And he went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterwards repent and believe him.”The Gospel of the Lord.Communion Antiphon.The Just Judge will bestow a crown of righteousness on those who eagerly await his coming.