BIBLE REFLECTION FOR DECEMBER 10/2011

Saint of the Day for December 10

Pope Saint Gregory III

First Reading Sirach 48: 1-4, 9-11

1 Till like a fire there appeared the prophet whose words were as a flaming furnace.
2 Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
3 By God's word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire.
4 How awesome are you, ELIJAH! Whose glory is equal to yours?
9 You were taken aloft in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses.
10 You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD, To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to reestablish the tribes of Jacob.
11 Blessed is he who shall have seen you before he dies,

Responsorial Psalm: 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

1 For the leader; according to "Lilies." Eduth. A psalm of Asaph.
2 Shepherd of Israel, listen, guide of the flock of Joseph! From your throne upon the cherubim reveal yourself
14 The boar from the forest strips the vine; the beast of the field feeds upon it.
15 Turn again, LORD of hosts; look down from heaven and see; Attend to this vine,
17 Those who would burn or cut it down-- may they perish at your rebuke.
18 May your help be with the man at your right hand, with the one whom you once made strong.

Gospel: Matthew 17:10-13

10 Then the disciples asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
11 He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
12 but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
13 3 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.