November 29th 2020
1st Sunday of Advent

First Reading
(Isaiah 9:2-9)
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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them. 
 You have given them great joy, Lord; you have made them happy.
They rejoice in what you have done,
as people rejoice when they harvest grain or when they divide captured wealth. 

 For you have broken the yoke that burdened them and the rod that beat their shoulders.
You have defeated the nation that oppressed and exploited your people,
just as you defeated the army of Midian long ago. 
 The boots of the invading army and all their bloodstained clothing will be destroyed by fire. 

 A child is born to us! A son is given to us!
And he will be our ruler. He will be called,
"Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Eternal Father," "Prince of Peace." 
 His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace.
He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice,
from now until the end of time.
The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this.

Second Reading
(Matthew 21:1-13)

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives. There Jesus sent two of the disciples on ahead  with these instructions:

"Go to the village there ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied up
with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to me. 
 And if anyone says anything, tell him, "The Master needs them';
and then he will let them go at once." 

 This happened in order to make come true what the prophet had said: 

 "Tell the city of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you!
He is humble and rides on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." 

So the disciples went and did what Jesus had told them to do: 
they brought the donkey and the colt, threw their cloaks over them, and Jesus got on. 
 A large crowd of people spread their cloaks on the road
while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 
The crowds walking in front of Jesus and those walking behind began to shout,

"Praise to David's Son! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise be to God!" 

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown into an uproar.
"Who is he?" the people asked. 
 "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee," the crowds answered. 

 Jesus went into the Temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there.
He overturned the tables of the money changers and the stools of those who sold pigeons, 
and said to them,

"It is written in the Scriptures that God said, "My Temple will be called a house of prayer.'
But you are making it a hideout for thieves!"