Friday 02 nd december 2022
St. Bibiana
Her parents were martyred in the persecution of Julian the Apostate, and Bibiana and her sister Demetria were turned over to a woman named Rufina who tried to force her into prostitution. Upon her continued refusal, Bibiana was imprisoned in a mad house, and then flogged to death.
Entrance Antiphon
Behold, the Lord will come descending with splendour to visit his people with peace, and he will bestow on them eternal life.
Collect
Stir up your power, we pray, O Lord, and come, that with you to protect us, we may find rescue from the pressing dangers of our sins, and with you to set us free, we may be found worthy of salvation. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Isaiah 29:17-24
The Lord says this: In a short time, a very short time, shall not Lebanon become fertile land and fertile land turn into forest? The deaf, that day, will hear the words of a book and, after shadow and darkness, the eyes of the blind will see. But the lowly will rejoice in the Lord even more and the poorest exult in the Holy One of Israel; for tyrants shall be no more, and scoffers vanish, and all be destroyed who are disposed to do evil: those who gossip to incriminate others, those who try at the gate to trip the arbitrator and get the upright man’s case dismissed for groundless reasons. Therefore the Lord speaks, the God of the House of Jacob, Abraham’s redeemer: No longer shall Jacob be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale, for he shall see what my hands have done in his midst, he shall hold my name holy. They will hallow the Holy One of Jacob, stand in awe of the God of Israel. Erring spirits will learn wisdom and murmurers accept instruction.
Psalm 26(27):1,4,13-14
R/ The Lord is my light and my help.
- The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?
- There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple.
- I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Is 45:8
Alleluia, alleluia! Send victory like a dew, you heavens, and let the clouds rain it down. Let the earth open and bring forth the saviour. Alleluia!
Gospel : Matthew 9:27-31
As Jesus went on his way two blind men followed him shouting, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David.’ And when Jesus reached the house the blind men came up with him and he said to them, ‘Do you believe I can do this?’ They said, ‘Sir, we do.’ Then he touched their eyes saying, ‘Your faith deserves it, so let this be done for you.’ And their sight returned. Then Jesus sternly warned them, ‘Take care that no one learns about this.’ But when they had gone, they talked about him all over the countryside.
Prayer over the Offerings
Be pleased, O Lord, with our humble prayers and offerings, and, since we have no merits to plead our cause, come, we pray, to our rescue with the protection of your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Phil 3: 20-21
We await a saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our mortal bodies, to conform with his glorified body.
Prayer after Communion
Replenished by the food of spiritual nourishment, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, through our partaking in this mystery, you may teach us to judge wisely the things of earth and hold firm to the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today God addresses a message of hope to a world marked by suffering and injustice. Through Isaiah, he announces healing and restoration to those who are afflicted, the downfall of the wicked and happy days for those who suffer persecution. By opening the eyes of the two blind men, Jesus wants us to understand that no matter how long the darkness of pain, suffering and injustice lasts, we can be sure that the dawn of relief, peace and joy will eventually come. It suffices to have faith in him, like the two blind men did. In the face of the challenges we face every day, God tells us, “Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord.”