Sunday between 11 and 17 December
Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)
First Reading - Isaiah 35.1-6
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
The driest lands
of the wilderness
will burst into bloom,
and sing for joy,
to declare
the glory
of the Lord.
The desert
will be as green
as forest
and pasture
to proclaim
the majesty of God.
So encourage
the weak,
and all who live in fear.
Say to them,
‘Do not be afraid!
For God is surely coming,
with justice,
to save you.’
On that day,
the blind will see, the deaf will hear,
the lame will run like the deer,
and the voiceless
will sing for joy!
This is the word of the Lord.
Second Reading - James 5.7-10
A reading from the letter of James.
My brothers and sisters,
be patient,
as you wait
for the coming of the Lord.
As the farmer waits patiently
for the crops to grow,
through the spring and autumn rains,
so you also
must be patient -
trusting, with confidence,
that the coming of the Lord
is near.
As you wait,
do not complain
against one another,
for you will surely be judged yourself
when that day comes.
But follow
the example
of the prophets, who showed
great patience,
even when they suffered
for speaking
in the name of the Lord.
This is the word of the Lord.
Gospel - Matthew 11.2-11
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to Matthew.
When John the Baptist,
in prison,
heard
what Jesus the Messiah was doing,
he sent his disciples
to ask Jesus, ‘Are you the one
foretold by the prophets,
or should we continue
to watch
for another?’
Jesus said to them, ‘Go and tell John
what you see and hear.
The blind receive their sight,
the lame walk,
the deaf hear;
people with leprosy are cleansed,
the dead are raised,
and the poor
receive good news.
Blessed are those who find
no offence in this!’
As John’s disciples
went on their way,
Jesus turned to the crowds
to speak
about John the Baptist.
Jesus said, ‘You went into the wilderness,
not to see a reed,
blowing in the wind,
or someone dressed in palace robes,
but to see a prophet;
and indeed
more than a prophet,
for John is the one who fulfils
the scripture,
where it says, “I am sending
my messenger ahead of you,
to prepare your way before you.”
John the Baptist
is the greatest
amongst all who have ever been born.
And I tell you, everyone
in the kingdom of heaven
will be greater still!’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.