Catholic Bible reading for today 30 December 2020

 Daily Mass Readings for Wednesday, 30 December               2020

Christmas Weekday

First Reading: First John 2:12-17

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him, who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one.

14 I write unto you, babes, because you have known the Father. I write unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, nor the things which are in the world. If any man love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, is the concupiscence of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life, which is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the concupiscence thereof: but he that doth the will of God, abideth for ever.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96: 7-8a, 8b-9, 10

7 Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour:

8 Bring to the Lord glory unto his name. Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts:

9 Adore ye the Lord in his holy court. Let all the earth be moved at his presence.

10 Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned. For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: he will judge the people with justice.

Gospel: Luke 2: 36-40

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.

37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.

38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.

39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.

✍️-Br. Biniush Topno

www.atpresentofficial.blogspot.com

Praise the lord

आज का पवित्र वचन 30 दिसंबर 2020, बुधवार

 

30 दिसंबर 2020, बुधवार

📒 पहला पाठ: योहन का पहला पत्र 2:12-17

12) बच्चो! मैं तुम्हें इसलिए लिख रहा हूँ कि उनके नाम के कारण तुम्हारे पाप क्षमा किये गये हैं।

13) पिताओ! मैं तुम्हें इसलिए लिख रहा हूँ कि तुम उसे जानते हो, जो आदिकाल से विद्यमान है। युवको! मैं तुम्हें इसलिए लिख रहा हूँ कि तुमने दुष्ष्ट पर विजय पायी है।

14) बच्चो! मैं तुम्हें इसलिए लिख रहा हूँ कि तुम पिता को जानते हो। पिताओं! मैं तुम्हें इसलिए लिख रहा हूँ कि तुम उसे जानते हो, जो आदि काल से विद्यमान है।युवको! मैं तुम्हें इसलिए लिख रहा हूँ कि तुम शक्तिशाली हो। तुम में ईश्वर का वचन निवास करता है और तुमने दुष्ट पर विजय पायी है।

15) तुम न तो संसार को प्यार करो और न संसार की वस्तुओं को। जो संसार को प्यार करता है, उस में पिता का प्रेम नहीं।

16) संसार में जो शरीर की वासना, आंखों का लोभ और धन-सम्पत्ति का घमण्ड है वह सब पिता से नहीं बल्कि संसार से आता है।

17) संसार और उसकी वासना समाप्त हो रही है; किन्तु जो ईश्वर की इच्छा पूरी करता है, वह युग-युगों तक बना रहता है।

📙 सुसमाचार : सन्त लूकस 2:36-40

36) अन्ना नामक एक नबिया थी, जो असेर-वंशी फ़नुएल की बेटी थी। वह बहुत बूढ़ी हो चली थी। वह विवाह के बाद केवल सात बरस अपने पति के साथ रह कर

37) विधवा हो गयी थी और अब चैरासी बरस की थी। वह मन्दिर से बाहर नहीं जाती थी और उपवास तथा प्रार्थना करते हुए दिन-रात ईश्वर की उपासना में लगी रहती थी।

38) वह उसी घड़ी आ कर प्रभु की स्तुति करने और जो लोग येरुसालेम की मुक्ति की प्रतीक्षा में थे, वह उन सबों को उस बालक के विषय में बताने लगी।

39) प्रभु की संहिता के अनुसार सब कुछ पूरा कर लेने के बाद वे गलीलिया-अपनी नगरी नाज़रेत-लौट गये।

40) बालक बढ़ता गया। उस में बल तथा बुद्धि का विकास होता गया और उसपर ईश्वर का अनुग्रह बना रहा।

मनन-चिंतन

अन्ना नामक विधवा जो मंदिर में रहती थी, उन लोगों का प्रतीक है जो ईश्वर की तलाश करते रहते हैं और ईश्वर के करीब रहते हैं। उसने अपने जीवन का प्रमुख हिस्सा मंदिर में ही बिताया। वह न केवल मंदिर में रहीं बल्कि निरंतर उपवास और प्रार्थना के द्वारा इस भौतिक दुनिया से अलग रहने का अभ्यास किया। सुसमाचार लेखक बताता है कि उन्होंने कभी मंदिर नहीं छोड़ा और रात-दिन प्रभु की सेवा की। वह लगातार प्रभु की उपस्थिति की खोज कर रही थी। ईश्वर की तलाश उन लोगों की मानसिकता है जो ईश्वर को अधिक से अधिक जानना चाहते हैं। यह एक ऐसी जीवनशैली है जिसका अभ्याय एक व्यक्ति को रात-दिन करना पड़ता है। उपवास ईश्वर की खोज करने का शक्तिशाली तरीका है। बाइबिल में हम कई महान लोगों को उपवास करते हुए पाते हैं। मूसा, एलिय्याह, नहेमिया, एस्तेर, मोरदेकाई, दाऊद, यूदीत और दानियल ने उपवास किया। वे उपवास की शक्ति को जानते थे। उपवास दुनियावी दृष्टिकोण के लिए जगह कम करके प्रभु ईश्वर के लिए जगह बना सकता है। येसु ने स्वयं चालीस दिनों का उपवास किया। उन्होंने अपने शिष्यों को यह भी सिखाया कि उपवास शैतान के खिलाफ एक हथियार था (देखें मत्ती 17:21)। आइए हम अपने पूरे दिल से ईश्वर की तलाश करना सीखें।

REFLECTION

Anna, the widow who lived in the temple is the symbol of those who keep seeking the Lord and stay close to God. She spent a major part of her life in the temple. She not only stayed in the temple but practiced detachment from this material world by constant fasting and prayer. The evangelist points out that she never left the temple and that she served God night and day. She was constantly seeking the presence of the Lord. Seeking God is a mindset of those desiring to know God more and more. It is a lifestyle that occupies you night and day. Fasting is a powerful way of seeking God. In the Bible we find many great people fasting. Moses, Elijah, Nehemiah, Esther, Mordecai, David, Judith and Daniel fasted. They knew the power of fasting. Fasting is about reducing space for what the world can offer and creating space for God within us. Jesus himself fasted for forty days. He also taught his disciples that fasting was a weapon against the devil (cf. Mt 17:21). Let us learn to seek God with all our heart.

✍ -Br. Biniush Topno



Copyright © www.atpresentofficial.blogspot.com

Praise the Lord!

Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday, 29 December 2020

 Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday, 29 December 2020

Christmas Weekday / Thomas Becket, Bishop, Martyr

First Reading: First John 2: 3-11

3 And by this we know that we have known him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He who saith that he knoweth him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But he that keepeth his word, in him in very deed the charity of God is perfected; and by this we know that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.

7 Dearly beloved, I write not a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard.

8 Again a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true both in him and in you; because the darkness is passed, and the true light now shineth.

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother, abideth in the light, and there is no scandal in him.

11 But he that hateth his brother, is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth; because the darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96: 1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6

1 A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: shew forth his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.

5 For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Praise and beauty are before him: holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.

Gospel: Luke 2: 22-35

22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:

23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:

24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:

25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.

26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,

28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:

29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;

30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:

32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;

35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

आज का पवित्र वचन 29 दिसंबर २०२० सन्त थोमस बक्केट

 

29 दिसंबर 2020

सन्त थोमस बक्केट

📒 पहला पाठ: योहन का पहला पत्र 2:3-11

3) यदि हम उनकी आज्ञाओं का पालन करेंगे, तो उस से हमें पता चलेगा कि हम उन्हें जानते हैं।

4) जो कहता है कि मैं उन्हें जानता हूँ, किन्तु उनकी आज्ञाओं का पालन नहीं करता वह झूठा है और उस में सच्चाई नहीं है।

5) परन्तु जो उनकी आज्ञाओं का पालन करता है, उस में ईश्वर का प्रेम परिपूर्णता तक पहुँचता है।

6) जो कहता है कि मैं उन में निवास करता हूँ, उसे वैसा ही आचरण करना चाहिए, जैसा आचरण मसीह ने किया।

7) प्रिय भाइयो! मैं तुम्हें कोई नयी आज्ञा नहीं लिख रहा हूँ। यह वही पुरानी आज्ञा है, जो प्रारम्भ से ही तुम्हें प्राप्त है। यह पुरानी आज्ञा वह वचन है, जिसे तुम सुन चुके हो।

8) फिर भी मैं तुम्हें जो आज्ञा लिख रहा हूँ, वह नयी है। वह नयी इसीलिए है कि वह उन में चरितार्थ हुई और तुम में भी चरितार्थ हो रही है; क्योंकि अन्धकार हट रहा है और सत्य की ज्योति अब चमकने लगी है।

9) जो कहता है कि मैं ज्योति में हूँ और अपने भाई से बैर करता है, वह अब तक अन्धकार में है।

10) जो अपने भाई को प्यार करता है, वह ज्योति में निवास करता है और कोई कारण नहीं कि उसे ठोकर लगे।

11) परन्तु जो अपने भाई से बैर करता है, वह अन्धकार में है और अन्धकार में चलता है। वह यह नहीं जानता कि वह कहाँ जा रहा है; क्योंकि अन्धकार ने उसे अन्धा बना दिया है।

📙 सुसमाचार : सन्त लूकस 2:22-35

22) जब मूसा की संहिता के अनुसार शुद्धीकरण का दिन आया, तो वे बालक को प्रभु को अर्पित करने के लिए येरुसालेम ले गये;

23) जैसा कि प्रभु की संहिता में लिखा है: हर पहलौठा बेटा प्रभु को अर्पित किया जाये

24) और इसलिए भी कि वे प्रभु की संहिता के अनुसार पण्डुकों का एक जोड़ा या कपोत के दो बच्चे बलिदान में चढ़ायें।

25) उस समय येरुसालेम में सिमेयोन नामक एक धर्मी तथा भक्त पुरुष रहता था। वह इस्राएल की सान्त्वना की प्रतीक्षा में था और पवित्र आत्मा उस पर छाया रहता था।

26) उसे पवित्र आत्मा से यह सूचना मिली थी कि वह प्रभु के मसीह को देखे बिना नहीं मरेगा।

27) वह पवित्र आत्मा की प्रेरणा से मन्दिर आया। माता-पिता शिशु ईसा के लिए संहिता की रीतियाँ पूरी करने जब उसे भीतर लाये,

28) तो सिमेयोन ने ईसा को अपनी गोद में ले लिया और ईश्वर की स्तुति करते हुए कहा,

29) ’’प्रभु, अब तू अपने वचन के अनुसार अपने दास को शान्ति के साथ विदा कर;

30) क्योंकि मेरी आँखों ने उस मुक्ति को देखा है,

31) जिसे तूने सब राष़्ट्रों के लिए प्रस्तुत किया है।

32) यह ग़ैर-यहूदियों के प्रबोधन के लिए ज्योति है और तेरी प्रजा इस्राएल का गौरव।’’

33) बालक के विषय में ये बातें सुन कर उसके माता-पिता अचम्भे में पड़ गये।

34) सिमेयोन ने उन्हें आशीर्वाद दिया और उसकी माता मरियम से यह कहा, ’’देखिए, इस बालक के कारण इस्राएल में बहुतों का पतन और उत्थान होगा। यह एक चिन्ह है जिसका विरोध किया जायेगा।

35) इस प्रकार बहुत-से हृदयों के विचार प्रकट होंगे और एक तलवार आपके हृदय को आर-पार बेधेगी।

मनन-चिंतन

सुसमाचार एक महान व्यक्तित्व को प्रस्तुत करता है जिसने बड़ी उत्सुकता तथा उदारता से नए मसीही युग का स्वागत किया। दुनिया के उद्धारकर्ता, बालक येसु के दर्शन में ही सिमयोन ने अपने जीवन में पूर्णता पाई। उसकी सभी इच्छाएँ येसु के दर्शन में पूरी हुईं। वह उद्धार के उस महान दिन को देखने के लक्ष्य के साथ जी रहा था। सिमयोन ने ईश्वर की सबसे बड़ी प्रतिज्ञा को अपनी आँखों के सामने पूरा होते देखा। ईश्वर अपनी सभी प्रतिज्ञाओं में विश्वासयोग्य है। इस्राएलियों को जो सबसे बडी प्रतिज्ञा मिली थी, वह मसीहा के आगमन के विषय में थी। अपने जीवन में हमें प्रभु की प्रतिज्ञाओं पर विश्वास करने की आवश्यकता है। हमारी धन्य माँ के बारे में, एलिजाबेथ ने कहा, "धन्य हैं आप, जिन्होंने यह विश्वास किया कि प्रभु ने आप से जो कहा, वह पूरा हो जायेगा!" (लूकस 1:45)। इब्राहीम की महानता यह थी कि वह प्रभु के वादों पर विश्वास करता था। ईश्वर ने उसे आकाश के तारों और समुद्रतट की रेत के समान असंख्य वंशज प्रदान करने का वादा किया था। यहाँ तक कि जब ईश्वर ने उसे अपने इकलौते पुत्र इसहाक का बलिदान करने के लिए कहा, तब भी इब्राहीम ने प्रभु के वचन पर विश्वास किया। क्या हम प्रभु की प्रतिज्ञाओं पर विश्वास करते हैं?

REFLECTION

The Gospel presents a great personality who ushered in the new era of the Messiah with great expectation and generosity. Simeon found fulfilment in his life at the very sight of child Jesus, the saviour of the world. His desires were all fulfilled at the sight of Jesus. He was living to see that great day of deliverance. Simeon saw the greatest promise of God being fulfilled before his own very eyes. God is faithful in all his promises. The greatest promise the Israelites received was that of the coming of the Messiah. In our own lives we need to believe in the promises of the Lord. About our Blessed Mother, Elizabeth said, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord” (Lk 1:45). Our Lady believed in the promises of the Lord. The greatness of Abraham was that he believed in the promises of the Lord. God promised him to make his descendants as many as the stars of heaven and the sand on the sea shore. Even when God asked him to sacrifice his only son Isaac, Abraham believed in the promise of the Lord. Are we aware of the promises of the Lord? Do we believe in them?

✍ -Br. Biniush Topno



Copyright © www.atpresentofficial.blogspot.com

Praise the Lord!

Catholic Bible readings for today 28 December 2020

 Daily Mass Readings for Monday, 28 December 2020

Holy Innocents, Martyrs Feast

First Reading: First John 1: 5 – 2: 2

5 And this is the declaration which we have heard from him, and declare unto you: That God is light, and in him there is no darkness.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he also is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. But if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the just:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 124: 2-3, 4-5, 7b-8

2 If it had not been that the Lord was with us, When men rose up against us,

3 Perhaps they had swallowed us up alive. When their fury was enkindled against us,

4 Perhaps the waters had swallowed us up.

5 Our soul hath passed through a torrent: perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable.

7 Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken, and we are delivered.

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Gospel: Matthew 2: 13-18

13 And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.

14 Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod:

15 That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16 Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying:

18 A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

✍️-Br. Biniush Topno

www.atpresentofficial.blogspot.com

आज का पवित्र वचन 28 दिसंबर 2020 पवित्र बालकपन का त्योहार

 

28 दिसंबर 2020

पवित्र बालकपन का त्योहार

📒 पहला पाठ: योहन का पहला पत्र 1:5-2:2

5) हमने जो सन्देश उन से सुना और तुम को भी सुनाते हैं, वह यह है- ईश्वर ज्योति है और उस में कोई अन्धकार नहीं!

6) यदि हम कहते हैं कि हम उसके जीवन के सहभागी हैं, किन्तु अन्धकार में चल रहे हैं, तो हम झूठ बोलते हैं और सत्य के अनुसार आचरण नहीं करते।

7) परन्तु यदि हम ज्योति में चलते हैं- जिस तरह वह स्वयं ज्योति में हैं- तो हम एक दूसरे के जीवन के सहभागी हैं और उसके पुत्र ईसा का रक्त हमें हर पाप से शुद्ध करता है।

8) यदि हम कहते हैं कि हम निष्पाप हैं, तो हम अपने आप को धोखा देते हैं और हम में सत्य नहीं है।

9) यदि हम अपने पाप स्वीकार करते हैं, तो वह हमारे पाप क्षमा करेगा और हमें हर अधर्म से शुद्ध करेगा; क्योंकि वह विश्वसनीय तथा सत्यप्रतिज्ञ है।

10) यदि हम कहते हैं कि हमने पाप नहीं किया है, तो हम उसे झूठा सिद्ध करते हैं और उसका सत्य हम में नहीं है।

1) बच्चो! मैं तुम लोगों को यह इसलिए लिख रहा हूँ कि तुम पाप न करो। किन्तु यदि कोई पाप करता, तो पिता के पास हमारे एक सहायक विद्यमान हैं, अर्थात् धर्मात्मा ईसा मसीह।

2) उन्होंने हमारे पापों के लिए प्रायश्चित किया है और न केवल हमारे पापों के लिए, बल्कि समस्त संसार के पापों के लिए भी।

📙 सुसमाचार : सन्त मत्ती 2:13-18

(13) उनके जाने के बाद प्रभु का दूत युसुफ़ को स्वप्न में दिखाई दिया और यह बोला ’’उठिए! बालक और उसकी माता को लेकर मिस्र देश भाग जाइए। जब तक में आप से न कहूँ वहीं रहिए क्योंकि हेरोद मरवा डालने के लिए बालक को ढूँढ़ने वाला है।

(14) यूसुफ उठा और उसी रात बालक और उसकी माता को ले कर मिस्र देश चल दिया।

(15) वह हेरोद की मृत्यु तक वहीं रहा जिससे नबी के मुख से प्रभु ने जो कहा था, वह पूरा हो जाये - मैंने मिस्र देश से अपने पुत्र को बुलाया।

(16) हेरोद को यह देख कर बहुत क्रोध आया कि ज्योतिषियों ने मुझे धोखा दिया है। उसने प्यादों को भेजा और ज्योतिषियों से ज्ञात समय के अनुसार बेथलेहेम और आसपास के उन सभी बालकों को मरवा डाला, जो दो बरस के या और भी छोटे थे।

(17) तब नबी येरेमियस का यह कथन पूरा हुआ-

(18) रामा में रूदन और दारुण विलाप सुनाई दिया, राखेल अपने बच्चों के लिए रो रही है, और अपने आँसू किसी को पोंछने नहीं देती क्योंकि वे अब नहीं रहे।

मनन-चिंतन

ईश्वर ने प्रभु येसु के जन्म और जीवन के लिए कोई कृत्रिम परिपूर्ण वातावरण नहीं बनाया। उन्हें मानव जीवन की कठोर वास्तविकताओं का सामना करना पड़ा। हिंसा के बीच खुद को जिंदा रखने के लिए उनके परिवार को मिस्रदेश भागना पड़ा। उन्हें एक अपरिचित पड़ोस में मिस्र में रहना पड़ा। इब्रानियों का पत्र कहता है, "हमारे प्रधानयाजक हमारी दुर्बलताओं में हम से सहानुभूति रख सकते हैं, क्योंकि पाप के अतिरिक्त अन्य सभी बातों में उनकी परीक्षा हमारी ही तरह ली गयी है" (इब्रानियों 4:15) )। येसु को उन लोगों की हिंसा का सामना पडा जिन्होंने उनके बचपन से ही उनका खून माँगा था। उन्हें विदेशी भूमि में रहने की सभी असुविधा और खतरे का सामना करना पड़ा। कई मासूम बच्चे को समाज में शासकों तथा अन्य शक्तिशाली लोगों के अन्याय के शिकार बनना पडा। हमें जीवन में एक सकारात्मक दृष्टिकोण अपनाने की आवश्यकता है, भले ही परिस्थितियां अनुकूल न हों, जिन लोगों के साथ हम रहते हैं और काम करते हैं वे दयालु नहीं हों और सबसे अच्छे इरादों के बावजूद भी हमारे प्रयास नकारात्मक परिणाम लाते हों। हमें सभी कष्टों और विरोधों के बीच आनंदित और शांतिपूर्ण होने की आवश्यकता है।

REFLECTION

God did not create perfect artificial surroundings for the birth and life of Jesus. Jesus had to face the harsh realities of human life. His family had to flee to Egypt to keep themselves alive in the midst of violence. They had to live in Egypt in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. The Letter to the Hebrews tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15). Jesus confronted the violence of those who sought his blood from his childhood. He had to face all the inconvenience and threat of staying in a foreign land. Many innocent children were victims of the injustice perpetuated by those wielding power in the society. We need to cultivate a positive attitude to life even when circumstances are not ideal, the people with whom we live and work are not kind and our efforts seem to bring negative results even with the best of intentions. We need to seek to be joyful and peaceful in the midst of all tribulations and oppositions.

✍ -Br. Biniush Topno



Copyright © www.atpresentofficial.blogspot.com

Praise the Lord!

Catholic Bible reading for today 27 December 2020

 Daily Mass Readings for Sunday, 27 December 2020

HOLY FAMILY Feast

First Reading: Genesis 15: 1-6; 21: 1-3 or Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14

1 Now when these things were done, the word of the Lord came to Abram by a vision, saying: Fear not, Abram, I am thy protector, and thy reward exceeding great.

2 And Abram said: Lord God, what wilt thou give me? I shall go without children: and the son of the steward of my house is this Damascus Eliezer.

3 And Abram added: But to me thou hast not given seed: and lo my servant, born in my house, shall be my heir.

4 And immediately the word of the Lord came to him, saying: He shall not be thy heir: but he that shall come out of thy bowels, him shalt thou have for thy heir.

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said to him: Look up to heaven and number the stars, if thou canst. And he said to him: So shall thy seed be.

6 Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice.

21:1 And the Lord visited Sara, as he had promised: and fulfilled what he had spoken.

2 And she conceived and bore a son in her old age, at the time that God had foretold her.

3 And Abraham called the name of his son, whom Sara bore him, Isaac.

or

2 For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.

3 He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days.

4 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.

5 He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.

6 He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.

12 Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life;

13 And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten.

14 For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 105: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (7a, 8a)

1 Alleluia. Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: declare his deeds among the Gentiles.

2 Sing to him, yea sing praises to him: relate all his wondrous works.

3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

4 Seek ye the Lord, and be strengthened: seek his face evermore.

5 Remember his marvellous works which he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.

6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant; ye sons of Jacob his chosen.

8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever: the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

9 Which he made to Abraham; and his oath to Isaac:

7a, 8a He is the Lord our God. He hath remembered his covenant for ever)

Second Reading: Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 or Colossians 3:12-21

8 By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

11 By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that he was faithful who had promised,

12 For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son;

18 (To whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called.)

19 Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable.

or

12 Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience:

13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also.

14 But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection:

15 And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God.

17 All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as it behoveth in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter towards them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to indignation, lest they be discouraged.

Gospel: Luke 2: 22-40

22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord:

23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord:

24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons:

25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.

26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law,

28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:

29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;

30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:

32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted;

35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity.

37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day.

38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.

39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth.

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him.