Third Sunday of Advent

Reading 1 and//www.usccb.org/bible/zephaniah/3:14 ZEP 3:14-18A Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!Sing joyfully, O Israel!Be glad and exult with all your heart,O daughter Jerusalem!The LORD has removed the judgment against youhe has turned away your enemiesthe King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,you have no further misfortune to fear.On that day, it shall be said to JerusalemandFear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!The LORD, your God, is in your midst,a mighty saviorhe will rejoice over you with gladness,and renew you in his love,he will sing joyfully because of you,as one sings at festivals. Responsorial Psalm and//www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/12:2 IS 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 R. Cry out with joy and gladnessand for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. God indeed is my saviorI am confident and unafraid.My strength and my courage is the LORD,and he has been my savior.With joy you will draw waterat the fountain of salvation. R.Cry out with joy and gladnessand for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his nameamong the nations make known his deeds,proclaim how exalted is his name. R.Cry out with joy and gladnessand for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievementlet this be known throughout all the earth.Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,for great in your midstis the Holy One of Israel! R.Cry out with joy and gladnessand for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. Reading 2 and//www.usccb.org/bible/philippians/4and4 PHIL 4and4-7 Brothers and sistersandRejoice in the Lord always.I shall say it againand rejoice!Your kindness should be known to all.The Lord is near.Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,make your requests known to God.Then the peace of God that surpasses all understandingwill guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Alleluia and//www.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/61and1 IS 61and1 (CITED IN LK 4:18) R.Alleluia, alleluia.The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto bring glad tidings to the poor.R.Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel and//www.usccb.org/bible/luke/3:10 LK 3:10-18 The crowds asked John the Baptist, What should we do?”He said to them in reply, Whoever has two cloaksshould share with the person who has none.And whoever has food should do likewise.”Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, Teacher, what should we do?”He answered them, Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”Soldiers also asked him, And what is it that we should do?”He told them, Do not practice extortion,do not falsely accuse anyone,and be satisfied with your wages.”Now the people were filled with expectation,and all were asking in their heartswhether John might be the Christ.John answered them all, saying, I am baptizing you with water,but one mightier than I is coming.I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floorand to gather the wheat into his barn,but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”Exhorting them in many other ways,he preached good news to the people.