Mass readings for Friday, 19 December 2025 (Third Week of Advent)

 

🌅 Opening Prayer 

O God,
who make this holy season shine
with the grace of our Savior’s coming,
grant that we may be watchful in prayer
and open our hearts to your Word,
so that Christ may dwell in us and we may be ready
to greet him when he comes again in glory.
Amen.


📜 Readings — Friday, 19 December 2025

🔹 First Reading
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a
Angel of the Lord appears to Manoah’s barren wife and announces she will conceive a son (Samson) who is set apart from birth. Catholic Gallery

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17
“My mouth shall be filled with your praise; I will sing your glory!” — expressing trust in God from youth and praise for salvation. Catholic Gallery

🔹 Gospel
Luke 1:5-25
Angel Gabriel announces to Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth will bear John the Baptist. Zechariah doubts and is rendered mute until the prophecy’s fulfillment. Catholic Daily Readings

(Optional Gospel Acclamation)
“O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!” (Antiphon for Advent) YouTube

📘 Simple Explanations

🪔 First Reading — Hope in God’s Plan

God intervenes in human barrenness — a symbol of new beginnings. This story (of Samson’s miraculous conception) points ahead to the coming of John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Christ.
CCC 522: God promises a savior and prepares His people for redemption.

🎼 Responsorial Psalm — A Song of Trust

Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, the Psalmist places hope in God from youth and then breaks into praise. This mirrors the Advent journey from waiting to joyful expectation.
Application: Pray this psalm aloud today as an act of trust when facing uncertainties.

✨ Gospel — God’s Surprises

God’s plan often surprises us — even when it defies human logic. Zechariah doubted and was unable to speak until he embraced God’s word in faith.
CCC 156: Faith is personal adherence to God’s truth revealed in Christ.

🧠 Catechism Connections (CCC)

  • Advent is a season of preparation — for the coming of Christ at Christmas and His return at the end of time (CCC 524–525).

  • The annunciation to Zechariah anticipates the fuller Annunciation to Mary — both prepare the Salvific plan (CCC 488–493).

  • The silence of Zechariah prefigures the silence of Advent waiting — a call to interior stillness and readiness (CCC 2708).

💡 Application for Today

  1. Reflect on God’s Timing: Like Elizabeth and Zechariah, allow God to work in your life even when answers seem delayed.

  2. Live in Expectant Joy: Advent is not merely waiting; it’s joyful watchfulness. Try a daily examen focused on gratitude and readiness.

  3. Prepare Others for Christ: Through acts of charity and encouragement, be a messenger of hope like John the Baptist.

🙏 Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
you came to bring life and hope.
As we await your birth at Christmas,
strengthen our faith like Elizabeth and Zechariah,
open our hearts to your Word,
and make us bearers of joy to others.
May your Spirit fill us with praise and with readiness
to welcome you now and always.
Amen.

📎 Links to Official and Helpful Resources

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