Dan 1:1-6.8-20; Luke 21

Memorial for St. Cecilia, Virgin & Martyr
Readings on p. 1492 and Antiphons on p. 1900 of the Daily Missal.

Entrance Antiphon.

Behold, now she follows the Lamb who was crucified for us, powerful in virginity, modesty her offering, a sacrifice on the altar of chastity.

 

First Reading: Daniel 1:1-6.8-20

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand,
with some of the vessels of the house of God;
and he brought them to the land of Shinar,
to the house of his god,
and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.
Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch,
to bring some of the people of Israel,
both of the royal family and of the nobility,
youths without blemish,
handsome and skilful in all wisdom,
endowed with knowledge,
understanding learning,
and competent to serve in the king’s palace
and to teach them the letters and language of the Chaldeans.
The king assigned them a daily portion
of the rich food which the king ate,
and of the wine which he drank.
They were to be educated for three years
and at the end of that time, they were to stand before the king.
Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
of the tribe of Judah.

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself
with the king’s rich food,
or with the wine which he drank;
therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs
to allow him not to defile himself.
And God gave Daniel favour and compassion
in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs;
and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel,
“I fear lest my lord the king,
who appointed your food and your drink,
should see that you were in poorer condition
than the youths who are of your own age.
So you would endanger my head with the king.”

Then Daniel said to the steward
whom the chief of the eunuchs had appointed
over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
“Test your servants for ten days;
let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Then let our appearance
and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s rich food
be observed by you,
and according to what you see deal with your servants.”

So he listened to them in this matter
and tested them for ten days.
At the end of ten days
it was seen that they were better in appearance
and fatter in flesh
than all the youths who ate the king’s rich food.
So the steward took away their rich food
and the wine they were to drink
and gave them vegetables.

As for these four youths,
God gave them learning and skill in all letters and wisdom;
and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
At the end of the time,
when the king had commanded that they should be brought in,
the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
And the king spoke with them,
and among them all
none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah;
therefore they stood before the king.
And in every matter of wisdom and understanding
concerning which the king inquired of them,
he found them ten times better
than all the magicians and enchanters
that were in all his kingdom.

The Word of the Lord.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3:29-30.31.33.32.34 (R.29b)

Let us now pray the Responsorial Psalm:

R/. You are to be praised and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers,
and to be praised and highly exalted forever;
And blessed is your glorious, holy name
and to be highly praised and highly exalted forever;

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory
and to be extolled and highly glorified forever.

Blessed are you upon the throne of your kingdom
and to be extolled and highly exalted for ever

Blessed are you, who sit upon cherubim and look upon the deeps,
and to be praised and highly exalted forever.

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven
and to be sung and glorified forever.

R/. You are to be praised and highly exalted forever.

 

Please stand for the Gospel

Alleluia, Alleluia
Watch, therefore, and be ready;
the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Alleluia.

 

 

Gospel: Luke 21:1-4

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

At that time:
Jesus looked up
and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
and he saw a poor widow put in two copper coins.
And he said, “Truly I tell you,
this poor widow has put in more than all of them;
for they all contributed out of their abundance,
but she out of her poverty
put in all the living that she had.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon.
The Lamb who is at the centre of the throne will lead them to the springs of the waters of life.