Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Liturgical Colour: Violet
Year: A(II)
Feast / Memorial:
Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor
First Reading — Isaiah 26:1–6
Open the gates; let the upright nation come in.
On that day, a song will be sung in Judah:
“We have a strong city; the Lord Himself has set walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open the gates, let the faithful nation enter—those who remain steadfast, whose minds are firm and at peace, because they trust in You.
Trust in the Lord forever, for He is the everlasting Rock.
He humbles those who dwell in lofty places; the proud city is brought down, cast into the dust.
And the feet of the lowly, the steps of the poor, will trample upon it.”
Message:
Isaiah’s vision contrasts the downfall of pride with the security of those who trust in God. The “strong city” symbolizes divine protection, while the “open gates” invite the faithful to enter. This passage reminds us that humility and steadfast trust in the Lord are the true conditions for belonging to His kingdom.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 118(117):1, 8–9, 19–21, 25–27
Response: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in human strength;
better to rely on Him
than on princes.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Open for me the gates of holiness;
I will enter and give thanks.
This is the Lord’s own gate,
where the just may enter.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
I will thank You, for You have answered me;
You are my Savior.
Grant us salvation, Lord,
grant us success.
Blessed is the one who comes in Your name.
We bless You from the house of the Lord;
You are our light.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Message:
The psalm celebrates God’s enduring love and the joy of entering His presence. The repeated refrain points to Christ, the one who comes in the Lord’s name, and invites us to place our trust not in human power but in God’s saving strength.
Gospel Acclamation — Isaiah 40:9–10
Alleluia, alleluia!
Shout with joy, messenger to Jerusalem:
Here comes the Lord God with power.
Alleluia!
Gospel — Matthew 7:21, 24–27
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father.
Jesus said:
“Everyone who hears my words and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rains fell, the floods came, the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not collapse, for it was founded on rock.
But whoever hears my words and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rains fell, the floods came, the winds blew and struck that house, and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Message:
Jesus teaches that true discipleship is not about words but about action. Building on the “rock” means living out God’s will with faith and obedience. The parable warns against superficial faith and calls us to a life firmly grounded in Christ.
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