Monday, December 16, 2024, Today Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection, Gospel of the day

Monday, December 16, Third Week of Advent, Today Mass Readings, daily reading for today. See also and improve your daily spiritual practice: daily examination of conscience, a catholic NIGHT PRAYER for Monday, December 16, 2024:    • Monday, December 16, 2024, daily examinati...   Resolution of the day: To reflect: do I believe and love God for His own, or do I want Him to serve me? I should always remember that It is not for us to know everything about God, for He has revealed only what is necessary for our salvation. Therefore, before doubting Him, we must seek to know what He has left for us and kneel before Him, imploring His forgiveness for doubting His authority. Let us know in the COMMENTS if you thought of any other purpose for your life today, and WE WILL PRAY for this purpose. See more about the SAINT OF THE DAY, *Saint Adelaide*, in our post on the Community tab. Readings for today: First Reading: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a. Psalm: Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9; "Teach me your ways, O Lord". Gospel: Mt 21:23-27. Share this video with that friend who needs to hear this message, and we will see you _tonight at the *daily examination of conscience*_. FIRST READING (Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a): When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe, the spirit of God came upon him, and he gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of a man whose eye is true, The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled: How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your encampments, O Israel! They are like gardens beside a stream, like the cedars planted by the LORD. His wells shall yield free-flowing waters, he shall have the sea within reach; His king shall rise higher, and his royalty shall be exalted. Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true, The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled. I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel. Psalm (Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9; "Teach me your ways, O Lord".): Teach me your ways, O Lord. Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Teach me your ways, O Lord. Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your kindness are from of old. In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD. Teach me your ways, O Lord. Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. Teach me your ways, O Lord. GOSPEL (Mt 21:23-27): When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”