📖 Daily Gospel Reading – December 15, 2025
Monday • Third Week of Advent
🌅 FIRST READING
Zephaniah 3:1–2, 9–13
Woe to the rebellious and polluted city,
the tyrannical!She hears no voice,
accepts no correction;
in the Lord she has not trusted,
to her God she has not drawn near.For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples,
that they may all call upon the name of the Lord,
to serve Him with one accord.From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
and as far as the recesses of the North,
they shall bring me offerings.On that day you need not be ashamed
because of all your deeds of rebellion against me;
for then I will remove from your midst
the proud braggarts,
and you shall no longer exalt yourself
on my holy mountain.But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
a people humble and lowly,
who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord.The remnant of Israel shall do no wrong
and speak no lies;
nor shall there be found in their mouths
a deceitful tongue.
🎶 RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 34:2–3, 6–7, 17–18, 19–23
Response: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the Lord heard,
and from all his distress He saved him.
R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The Lord confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress He rescues them.
R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit He saves.
The Lord redeems the lives of His servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in Him.
R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
✝️ GOSPEL
Luke 1:39–45
Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,“Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
✨ REFLECTION — “Blessed Are You Who Believed”
Today’s Gospel is quiet, tender, and powerful.
It shows us how faith moves from the heart into action.
1️⃣ Mary moves in haste
Mary had just received shocking news from the angel.
Yet instead of focusing on herself, she went in haste to serve Elizabeth.
True faith is never self-centered.
When God enters our life,
He pushes us outward—to love, to serve, to give.
Ask yourself today:
Does my faith move me toward others?
2️⃣ Joy recognizes joy
Elizabeth’s child leapt in her womb at Mary’s greeting.
Even before Jesus was born,
His presence brought joy.
Where Christ is present:
-
hearts awaken
-
joy stirs
-
hope moves
When you carry Jesus in your life,
others will feel it—even without words.
3️⃣ “Blessed are you who believed”
This is the heart of the Gospel.
Mary did not see the future.
She did not understand everything.
But she believed.
Faith does not mean having all the answers.
Faith means trusting God
even when the path is unclear.
Advent reminds us:
God keeps His promises.
4️⃣ A message for your Advent waiting
If you are:
-
waiting for answers
-
holding onto a promise
-
carrying a silent prayer
Today’s Gospel tells you:
Blessed are you who believe.
God is working—even now.
🙏 CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, give me the faith of Mary—
a faith that trusts,
a faith that moves into loving action,
a faith that brings joy to others.
As I wait this Advent,
help me believe that Your promises
will be fulfilled in my life.
Amen.