May 12 2024

First Reading

HEBREWS 9: 1-10
1 Certainly, the former also had the justifications of worship and a holy place for that age.

2 For a tabernacle was made at first, in which were the lampstand, and the table, and the bread of the Presence, which is called Holy.

3 Then, beyond the second veil, was the tabernacle, which is called the Holy of Holies,

4 having a golden censer, and the ark of the testament, covered all around and on every part with gold, in which was a golden urn containing manna, and the rod of Aaron which had blossomed, and the tablets of the testament.

5 And over the ark were the Cherubim of glory, overshadowing the propitiatory. There is not enough time to speak about each of these things.

6 Yet truly, once such things were placed together, in the first part of the tabernacle, the priests were, indeed, continually entering, so as to carry out the duties of the sacrifices.

7 But into the second part, once a year, the high priest alone entered, not without blood, which he offered on behalf of the neglectful offenses of himself and of the people.

8 In this way, the Holy Spirit is signifying that the way to what is most holy was not yet made manifest, not while the first tabernacle was still standing.

9 And this is a parable for the present time. Accordingly, those gifts and sacrifices that are offered are not able, as concerns the conscience, to make perfect those things that serve only as food and drink,

10 as well as the various washings and justices of the flesh, which were imposed upon them until the time of correction.

Second Reading

REVELATION 12: 1-10
1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and on her head was a crown of twelve stars.

2 And being with child, she cried out while giving birth, and she was suffering in order to give birth.

3 And another sign was seen in heaven. And behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems.

4 And his tail drew down a third part of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman, who was about to give birth, so that, when she had brought forth, he might devour her son.

5 And she brought forth a male child, who was soon to rule all the nations with an iron rod. And her son was taken up to God and to his throne.

6 And the woman fled into solitude, where a place was being held ready by God, so that they might pasture her in that place for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

7 And there was a great battle in heaven. Michael and his Angels were battling with the dragon, and the dragon was fighting, and so were his angels.

8 But they did not prevail, and a place for them was no longer found in heaven.

9 And he was thrown out, that great dragon, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduces the whole world. And he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.

10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying: "Now have arrived salvation and virtue and the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been cast down, he who accused them before our God day and night.

ACTS 2: 22-36

22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene is a man confirmed by God among you through the miracles and wonders and signs that God accomplished through him in your midst, just as you also know.

23 This man, under the definitive plan and foreknowledge of God, was delivered by the hands of the unjust, afflicted, and put to death.

24 And he whom God has raised up has broken the sorrows of Hell, for certainly it was impossible for him to be held by it.

25 For David said about him: 'I foresaw the Lord always in my sight, for he is at my right hand, so that I may not be moved.

26 Because of this, my heart has rejoiced, and my tongue has exulted. Moreover, my flesh shall also rest in hope.

27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hell, nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption.

28 You have made known to me the ways of life. You will completely fill me with happiness by your presence.'

29 Noble brothers, permit me to speak freely to you about the Patriarch David: for he passed away and was buried, and his sepulcher is with us, even to this very day.

30 Therefore, he was a prophet, for he knew that God had sworn an oath to him about the fruit of his loins, about the One who would sit upon his throne.

31 Foreseeing this, he was speaking about the Resurrection of the Christ. For he was neither left behind in Hell, nor did his flesh see corruption.

32 This Jesus, God raised up again, and of this we are all witnesses.

33 Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the Promise of the Holy Spirit, he poured this out, just as you now see and hear.

34 For David did not ascend into heaven. But he himself said: 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand,

35 until I make your enemies your footstool.'

36 Therefore, may the entire house of Israel know most certainly that God has made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Gospel

LUKE 1:39-56

39 And in those days, Mary, rising up, traveled quickly into the hill country, to a city of Judah.

40 And she entered into the house of Zechariah, and she greeted Elizabeth.

41 And it happened that, as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

43 And how does this concern me, so that the mother of my Lord would come to me?

44 For behold, as the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

45 And blessed are you who believed, for the things that were spoken to you by the Lord shall be accomplished."

46 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord.

47 And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Saviour.

48 For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him.

51 He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart.

52 He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

54 He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy,

55 just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

56 Then Mary stayed with her for about three months. And she returned to her own house.