THE GOSPEL
Luke 1:39-45When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb.
Treasures spilling over,
secrets pouring out
in sheer delight.
The women
hugging
as the
baby
leaps for joy!
Holy
Spirit,
fill us too.
With yourself.
Teach us to love.
And let us cry out in joy,
since the Lord has come to be
within us and within all humankind.
Let our spirits
jump for
joy!
THE FIRST READING
Micah 5:1-4a
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel.
A king comes from tiny Bethlehem.
His strength will be God’s.
His majesty,
God’s.
His
blessing
will reach the
ends of the earth
for he shall be called
Prince of Peace.
And how will you know him?
He will be wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.
O Jesus,
make our strength, like Bethlehem’s,
lovingly quiet within your
presence.
THE SECOND READING
Hebrews 10:5-10
Behold I come to do your will.
Not holocausts and sin offerings,
but a perfect yes to God.
One body,
once
for
all.
Christ,
you are humankind’s
most sublime Amen to the Father,
and most wondrous
gift to
us.