A Catholic guide for saints, prayer, and practical devotional reading.
John of the Cross. Advent. A clean reading layout for church, prayer, or preparation.
The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.
On-site scripture text: Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.
Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
10And the rescued of the Lord shall return, and shall come into Sion with praise, and eternal joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.
6And they shall speak of the might of your terrible acts: and shall declare your greatness.
7They shall publish the memory of the abundance of your sweetness: and shall rejoice in your righteousness.
8The Lord is gracious and merciful: patient and plenteous in mercy.
9The Lord is sweet to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
10Let all your works, OH lord, praise you: and let your saints bless you.
James 5:7-10
This reading often teaches Christians how to live with steadiness, charity, and faith. Look for one clear encouragement or warning you can carry into the day.
7Be patient therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. Look, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth: patiently bearing till he receive the early and latter rain.
8Be you therefore also patient, and strengthen your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9Grudge not, brothers and sisters, one against another, that you may not be judged. Look the judge stands before the door.
10Take, my brothers and sisters, for an example of suffering evil, of work and patience, the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Matthew 11:2-11
The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.
2Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:
3Art you he that art to come, or look we for another?
4And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen.
5The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6And blessed is the one who shall not be scandalized in me.
7And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?
8But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft clothes? Look those who are clothed in soft clothes, are in the houses of kings.
9But what went you out to see? a prophet? yea I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10For this is he of whom it is written: Look I send my angel before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.
11Amen I say to you, there has not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
This page uses the Catholic Readings API for the day's references and liturgical celebration data, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible distributed through the Open Bibles project.