Readings: Friday, November 27, 2020

First Reading: Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a

I, John, saw another angel coming down from heaven, 
having great authority, 
and the earth became illumined by his splendor. 
He cried out in a mighty voice: 
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great. 
She has become a haunt for demons. 
She is a cage for every unclean spirit, 
a cage for every unclean bird, 
a cage for every unclean and disgusting beast.” 
A mighty angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone 
and threw it into the sea and said: 
“With such force will Babylon the great city be thrown down, 
and will never be found again. 
No melodies of harpists and musicians, 
flutists and trumpeters, 
will ever be heard in you again. 
No craftsmen in any trade 
will ever be found in you again. 
No sound of the millstone 
will ever be heard in you again. 
No light from a lamp 
will ever be seen in you again. 
No voices of bride and groom 
will ever be heard in you again. 
Because your merchants were the great ones of the world, 
all nations were led astray by your magic potion.” 
After this I heard what sounded like 
the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying: 
“Alleluia! 
Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, 
for true and just are his judgments. 
He has condemned the great harlot 
who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. 
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 
They said a second time: 
“Alleluia! Smoke will rise from her forever and ever.” 
Then the angel said to me, “Write this: 
Blessed are those who have been called 
to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5

R./ Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; 
serve the Lord with gladness; 
come before him with joyful song. 
R./ Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Know that the Lord is God; 
he made us, his we are; 
his people, the flock he tends. 
R./ Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, 
his courts with praise; 
Give thanks to him; bless his name. 
R./ Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

For he is good: 
the Lord, whose kindness endures forever, 
and his faithfulness, to all generations. 
R./ Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Gospel Reading: Lk 21:20-28

Jesus said to his disciples, "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. Then, if you are in Judea, flee to the mountains; if you are in the city, leave it; and let those who are in the fields not return to the city.

"For these will be the days of its punishment and all that was announced in the Scripture will be fulfilled. How hard will it be for pregnant women and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and divine justice upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.

"Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

"Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near.