St. Vincent Ferrer Parish

[December 03]

Francis Xavier was born in Spain in 1506. While studying the liberal arts at Paris, he became a follower of Ignatius Loyola. In 1537 he was ordained at Rome and there devoted himself to works of charity. Francis went to the Orient Japan, and through his preaching brought many to believe. He died in 1552 near the China coast on the island of Sancian.

Prayer
God our Father, by the preaching of Francis Xavier you brought many nations to yourself.
Give his zeal for the faith to all who believe in you, that your Church may rejoice in continued growth through the world

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Reading
Isaiah 26:1-6

On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah, “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; he tumbles it to the ground levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.

Responsorial Psalm
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 118:1 and 8-9. 19-21. 25-27a

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Open to me the gates of  justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. This  gate is the LORD’s; the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Gospel
Matthew 7:21. 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

Reading
Isaiah 25:6-10a

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord of GOD will wipe away the tears from all face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let  us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Responsorial Psalm
“I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”
Psalm 23:1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guide me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil’ my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Gospel
Matthew 15:29-37

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them. “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over – seven baskets full.