First Reading

Reading from the prophecy of Malachi

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24

Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Suddenly the Lord whom you seek will enter his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire, like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may offer to the Lord pleasing offerings. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.

Behold, I will send you the prophet Elijah
before the day of the Lord comes,
the great and terrible day.
He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children
and the hearts of children to their fathers,
lest I come and strike the land with a curse”.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke

Luke 1:57-66

In those days, Elizabeth gave birth, and her child was a boy. When her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her such great mercy, they rejoiced with her.

When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.”

So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.

Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.