Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
1st Reading – Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11
And the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch.
He brought a famine upon them, and those who provoked him in their envy became few. For they could not bear the precepts of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord, he closed the heavens, and he brought down fire from heaven three times.
In this way, Elijah was magnified in his wondrous works. So who can say that he is similar to you in glory?
He was received into a whirlwind of fire, into a swift chariot with fiery horses.
He is written in the judgments of the times, so as to lessen the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed are those who saw you, and who were adorned with your friendship.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 80:2AC AND 3B, 15-16, 18-19
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Alleluia – Luke 3:4, 6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel – Matthew 17:9A, 10-13
And as they came down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus: Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.