📖 Daily Gospel Reading – December 13, 2025

Saturday • Second Week of Advent
Memorial of St. Lucy

🌅 FIRST READING

Sirach 48:1–4, 9–11

In those days, like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah,
whose words were like a flaming furnace.

He brought down famine upon them
and by his zeal made them few in number.

By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens
and also three times brought down fire.

How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?

You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.

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 re-establish the tribes of Jacob.

Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.

🎶 RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 80:2ac and 3b, 15–16, 18–19

Response: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Once again, O Lord of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted.
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

✝️ GOSPEL

Matthew 17:9a, 10–13

As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

He said in reply,
“Elijah will indeed come and restore all things.”

“But I tell you, 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.”

Then the disciples understood
that He was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

✨ REFLECTION — “Recognizing God When He Comes”

Today’s Gospel happens right after the Transfiguration, one of the most powerful moments in the life of Jesus.
The disciples had just seen His glory…
Yet they still struggled to understand God’s plan.

1️⃣ The disciples expect Elijah — but miss the meaning

The scribes taught that Elijah would return before the Messiah came.

Jesus tells them:

“Elijah has already come.”
He is speaking of John the Baptist, who came with the same spirit, fire, boldness, and mission as Elijah.

But here is the tragedy:

“They did not recognize him.”

This is one of the deepest truths of Advent:
God often comes in ways we do not expect.
And if our hearts are not ready,
we may fail to recognize Him.

2️⃣ John prepared the way through suffering — and so did Jesus

Jesus adds:

“So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”

Meaning:

  • The way of salvation is not glamorous.

  • The path of God’s love includes sacrifice.

  • Redemption comes through courage, humility, and obedience.

Advent is not only a season of joy—
it is a season of deep preparation and spiritual awakening.

3️⃣ Today’s question: Would we recognize God’s messenger today?

John the Baptist did not look like a prophet:

  • wild hair

  • camel’s-hair clothes

  • preaching repentance

  • living in the desert

Many rejected him because he did not fit their idea of holiness.

Today, God may speak to you through:

  • a simple person

  • a difficult situation

  • a quiet whisper in prayer

  • Scripture

  • someone you did not expect

Are you ready to recognize Him?

4️⃣ Advent humility: “Lord, open my eyes.”

The Gospel invites us to pray:

  • Open my eyes to see Your movement

  • Open my ears to hear Your voice

  • Open my heart to receive Your correction

  • Open my life to follow Your will

Like the disciples, we may not always understand…
but Jesus gently teaches us again and again.

🙏 CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, give me the eyes to recognize Your presence in my daily life.
Help me not to miss the signs of Your coming.
Teach me to listen, to surrender, and to follow You with humility.
Prepare my heart this Advent, so that when You come,
You may find me awake, ready, and faithful.
Amen.