Memorial on Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
Liturgical Colour: White
Year: A (II)
Feast / Memorial: Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
FERIAL READINGS
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
First Reading — Isaiah 25:6–10
“The Lord will prepare a banquet for every nation.”
On this mountain,
the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples
a banquet of rich food, a banquet of fine wines,
of food rich and juicy, of fine strained wines.
On this mountain he will remove
the mourning veil covering all peoples,
and the shroud enwrapping all nations.
He will destroy Death for ever.
The Lord will wipe away
the tears from every cheek;
he will take away his people’s shame
everywhere on earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
That day it will be said:
“See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation;
the Lord is the one in whom we hoped.
We exult and rejoice that he has saved us.”
For the hand of the Lord rests on this mountain.
Message
Isaiah announces the great messianic banquet, a sign of God’s final victory over sorrow, shame, and death itself. God’s love is stronger than death, and His promise of eternal life begins to unfold even now. Advent invites us to hope in God’s saving power, trusting that no darkness can overcome His light.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 22 (23)
Response: In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
He guides me along the right path;
He is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
Message
The psalm assures us of God’s protection, guidance, and providence. Even in moments of darkness, the Good Shepherd remains with us. God prepares a banquet of grace for every believer, reminding us that His kindness follows us every day of our lives.
Gospel Acclamation — Isaiah 33:22
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord is our judge, the Lord our lawgiver,
the Lord our king and our saviour.
Alleluia!
Or:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Look, the Lord will come to save his people.
Blessed those who are ready to meet him.
Alleluia!
Gospel — Matthew 15:29–37
The crowds praised the God of Israel
Jesus went up into the hills beside the Sea of Galilee and sat down. Large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb, and many others. They laid them at his feet, and he cured them.
The crowds were astonished to see the mute speaking, the crippled healed, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they praised the God of Israel.
Then Jesus called his disciples and said,
“I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry; they might collapse on the way.”
The disciples answered,
“Where could we get enough bread in this deserted place to feed such a crowd?”
Jesus said,
“How many loaves have you?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
He instructed the crowd to sit on the ground.
Taking the seven loaves and the fish, he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds.
They all ate as much as they wanted, and the scraps left over filled seven baskets.
Message
Jesus feeds not only bodies but hearts. His compassion moves Him to act — healing the sick and feeding the hungry. This miracle foreshadows the Eucharist, where Christ continues to feed His people in abundance. Advent invites us to trust in His provision, knowing that God never sends us away hungry.
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Wednesday 3 December 2025
Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Liturgical Colour: White
Year: A(II)
MEMORIAL READINGS
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
First Reading — 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
“I preach the Gospel as a duty entrusted to me.”
Brothers and sisters,
If I proclaim the Gospel, I cannot boast, for an obligation has been laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach it! If I were doing this on my own accord, I would expect a reward, but since it is a mission entrusted to me, I simply fulfil what is given.
My reward is this: to offer the Gospel freely, without insisting on my rightful support. Though I am free from all, I make myself a servant to everyone, that I may bring as many as possible to Christ.
To the weak, I became weak; I became all things to all, so that by all possible means I might save some. And I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Message:
Saint Paul reminds us that the Gospel is not a privilege but a sacred duty. He adapts himself to every person so that no soul is lost. This teaches us that evangelization is not only preaching—it is compassion, patience, gentleness, and humility toward those who struggle. Like Paul, we are invited to carry Christ to others not by force, but by love.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 116(117):1-2
**Response: Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
O praise the Lord, all you nations;
acclaim Him, all you peoples!
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
Strong is His love for us;
His faithfulness endures forever.
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
Message:
This short psalm echoes the missionary spirit of the Church. God’s love is not limited to one people or place—His mercy extends to every nation. We are called to be witnesses of that love by our words, our actions, and our daily conduct. Every Christian becomes a messenger simply by living faithfully.
Gospel Acclamation — Matthew 28:19,20
Alleluia, alleluia!
Go and make disciples of all nations.
I am with you always, even to the end of time.
Alleluia!
Gospel — Mark 16:15-20
“Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to every creature.”
Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them:
“Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved; whoever refuses to believe will be condemned.
“These signs will accompany believers: in My Name they will cast out evil spirits; they will speak new languages; they will handle serpents safely; if they drink anything deadly it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and the sick will recover.”
After speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.
And the disciples went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed their message through the signs that accompanied them.
Message:
Christ sends us into the world with courage and trust. The mission is not ours alone—He works with us, strengthens us, protects us, and blesses our efforts. Our task is to proclaim the Gospel through our lives, bringing healing where there is hurt, peace where there is division, and hope where there is despair.
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