Wednesday, 34 Week in OT, 23 November 2022, CATHOLIC HOLY MASS

FIRST READING A reading from the book of the Apocalypse 15:1-4 What I, John, saw in heaven was a great and wonderful sign: seven angels were bringing the seven plagues that are the last of all, because they exhaust the anger of God. I seemed to see a glass lake suffused with fire, and standing by the lake of glass, those who had fought against the beast and won, and against his statue and the number which is his name. They all had harps from God, and they were singing the hymn of Moses, the servant of God, and of the Lamb: ‘How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are all your ways, King of nations. Who would not revere and praise your name, O Lord? You alone are holy, and all the pagans will come and adore you for the many acts of justice you have shown.’ The Word of the Lord. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 9):1-3,7-9 R/ How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty. Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation. R/ R/ How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty. The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel. R/ R/ How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty. Let the sea and all within it, thunder; the world, and all its peoples. Let the rivers clap their hands. And the hills ring out their joy at the presence of the Lord. R R/ How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty. For the Lord comes, he comes to rule the earth. He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with fairness. R/ How great and wonderful are all your works, Lord God Almighty. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia, alleluia! Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to stand with confidence before the Son of Man Alleluia! GOSPEL A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 21:12-19 Jesus said: Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’ The Gospel of the Lord. ***** PRAYER FOR UKRAINE Loving God, We pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suffering or afraid, that you will be close to them and protect them. We pray for world leaders, for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices. We pray for the world that in this moment of crisis, we may reach out in solidarity to our brothers and sisters in need. May we walk in your ways so that peace and justice become a reality for the people of Ukraine and for all the world. Amen.