HOLY MASS TODAY – CATHOLIC MASS 2ND DECEMBER 2023

Ordinary Weekday/ Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading: Daniel 7: 15-27
15 My spirit trembled, I Daniel was affrighted at these things, and the visions of my head troubled me.

16 I went near to one of them that stood by, and asked the truth of him concerning all these things, and he told me the interpretation of the words, and instructed me:

17 These four great beasts are four kingdoms, which shall arise out of the earth.

18 But the saints of the most high God shall take the kingdom: and they shall possess the kingdom for ever and ever.

19 After this I would diligently learn concerning the fourth beast, which was very different from all, and exceeding terrible: his teeth and claws were of iron: he devoured and broke in pieces, and the rest he stamped upon with his feet:

20 And concerning the ten horns that he had on his head: and concerning the other that came up, before which three horns fell: and of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth speaking great things, and was greater than the rest.

21 I beheld, and lo, that horn made war against the saints, and prevailed over them,

22 Till the Ancient of days came and gave judgment to the saints of the most High, and the time came, and the saints obtained the kingdom.

23 And thus he said: The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be greater than all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

24 And the ten horns of the same kingdom, shall be ten kings: and another shall rise up after them, and he shall be mightier than the former, and he shall bring down three kings.

25 And he shall speak words against the High One, and shall crush the saints of the most High: and he shall think himself able to change times and laws, and they shall be delivered into his hand until a time, and times, and half a time.

26 And judgment shall sit, that his power may be taken away, and be broken in pieces, and perish even to the end.

27 And that the kingdom, and power, and the greatness of the kingdom, under the whole heaven, may be given to the people of the saints of the most High: whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all kings shall serve him, and shall obey him.

Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3: 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.

82 O ye sons of men, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.

83 O let Israel bless the Lord: let them praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.

84 O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.

85 O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.

86 O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.

87 O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

R. Give glory and eternal praise to him.

Alleluia: Luke 21: 36
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

36 Be vigilant at all times and pray That you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 21: 34-36
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly.

35 For as a snare shall it come upon all that sit upon the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of man.