Saturday of the First Week of Advent
or Saint Nicholas, Bishop
Liturgical Colour: Violet
Year: A(II)
First Reading — Isaiah 30:19–21, 23–26
The Lord will be gracious to you and hear your cry.
Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel:
People of Zion, you will dwell in Jerusalem and weep no more. When you cry out, He will be gracious and answer. Though He has given you the bread of suffering and the water of distress, your Teacher will hide no longer—you will see Him with your own eyes. And whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying: “This is the way; walk in it.”
The Lord will send rain for the seed you sow, and the harvest will be rich and nourishing. Your cattle will graze in wide pastures, and even the oxen and donkeys that till the soil will eat seasoned fodder, winnowed with shovel and fork. On every mountain and hill streams will flow, on the day when strongholds fall. The moon will shine like the sun, and the sun will be seven times brighter—like the light of seven days in one—on the day the Lord heals the wounds of His people and binds up their bruises.
Message:
Isaiah offers a vision of restoration: God hears the cries of His people, guides them, and blesses them with abundance. Even after suffering, He promises healing and light. This passage reminds us that Advent is a time of hope, when God’s mercy breaks through darkness and leads us toward renewal.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 147(146):1–6
Response: Happy are all who hope in the Lord.
Praise the Lord, for He is good;
sing to our God, for He is loving;
to Him our praise is due.
The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem
and gathers Israel’s exiles.
Happy are all who hope in the Lord.
He heals the brokenhearted,
binding up their wounds.
He counts the stars,
calling each one by name.
Happy are all who hope in the Lord.
Our Lord is great and almighty;
His wisdom cannot be measured.
The Lord lifts up the lowly,
but casts the wicked to the ground.
Happy are all who hope in the Lord.
Message:
This psalm celebrates God’s power and compassion. He restores His people, heals their wounds, and knows each star by name. Advent invites us to place our hope in Him, trusting that His wisdom and mercy will lift us up.
Gospel Acclamation — Isaiah 55:6
Alleluia, alleluia!
Seek the Lord while He may be found,
call upon Him while He is near.
Alleluia!
Or: Isaiah 33:22
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord is our judge, our lawgiver,
our king and our Savior.
Alleluia!
Gospel — Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5–8
“The harvest is rich but the labourers are few.”
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom, and curing every disease and sickness.
When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion, for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples: “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few; ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into His harvest.”
He summoned the twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, with power to cast them out and to heal every disease and sickness. These twelve He sent out with instructions: “Go to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received freely; give freely.”
Message:
Jesus reveals His compassion for the crowds and calls His disciples to share in His mission. The harvest is plentiful, but workers are needed. Advent reminds us that we too are called to labor in God’s kingdom, bringing healing, hope, and the Good News to those in need.
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