🕯 15 December 2025 — Monday of the Third Week of Advent

 

📖 Opening Prayer 

Let us pray.
O Lord, our God,
you promised that a star shall rise from Jacob and a sceptre from Israel.
Fill our hearts with faith and hope, and help us to follow Christ your Son with humble obedience,
that we may rejoice to behold his coming in glory.
Amen.


📜 Scripture Readings

🕮 First Reading

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17
Balaam sees God’s plan:

  • The Spirit of God comes upon Balaam, and he foretells blessing for Israel.

  • He speaks of a Star rising from Jacob — a prophetic image pointing to the coming Messiah. USCCB

⭐ Key Theme: God’s plan of salvation extends to all nations, and Christ is the fulfillment of that promise.

🎶 Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6-7bc, 8-9
Response: Teach me your ways, O Lord.

  • “Make known to me your ways… guide me in your truth…”

  • God’s mercy and guidance are constant; he teaches the humble his path. USCCB

Reflection: In Advent, we prepare our hearts for Jesus — asking God to teach us His ways.

🎺 Alleluia (Gospel Acclamation)

Psalm 85:8
Alleluia, alleluia.
“Show us, Lord, your love and grant us your salvation.”
Alleluia. USCCB

✝️ Gospel

Matthew 21:23-27
Jesus teaches in the Temple:

  • Religious leaders question Jesus’ authority.

  • Jesus responds with a question about John the Baptist’s baptism.

  • Their refusal to answer exposes their lack of faith. USCCB

🕊 Gospel Insight: Jesus challenges us to recognize His authority not by words alone but by faith and obedience.

🙏 Closing Prayer 

Lord Jesus, you call us to follow you with humility and trust.
Help us to listen to your voice above all others,
to walk in your ways, and to welcome your coming into our lives this Advent.
Amen.

📘 Explanation & Application for Catholics and Catechumens

✨ What’s This Day About?

This day falls in the Third Week of Advent, a time of hopeful waiting and deepening trust in God’s promise of salvation. The readings focus on:

1) God’s Plan for Salvation
The prophecy of Balaam (Numbers) speaks of a "star out of Jacob" — a symbol of Christ’s coming (cf. Numbers 24:17). USCCB

2) Our Response:
The Psalm prays for guidance and a teachable heart — echoing the Advent call to conversion and readiness. USCCB

3) Jesus’ Authority:
The Gospel challenges us: do we recognize Jesus as the Lord with authority over our lives, or do we hesitate when faith requires courage? USCCB

🧠 Practical Applications This Advent

For Catholics preparing for Christmas:

  • Reflect on authority: Where do you place Jesus in your daily decisions?

  • Ask for guidance: Pray Psalm 25 each morning to open your heart to God’s way.

  • Live expectancy: Advent is not just waiting — it’s active preparation.

For Catechumens learning the faith:

  • Notice how Scripture points forward to Christ — even in Old Testament prophecy.

  • Understand that Jesus’ words in the Gospel show His divine authority.

  • Let the season shape your heart: be open to conversion and personal change.

🔗 Source Links You Can Follow

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