Thursday of the First Week in Advent

Reading 1 IS 26and1-6 On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judahand A strong city have wehe sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.Open up the gatesto let in a nation that is just,one that keeps faith.A nation of firm purpose you keep in peacein peace, for its trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever!For the LORD is an eternal Rock.He humbles those in high places,and the lofty city he brings downHe tumbles it to the ground,levels it with the dust.It is trampled underfoot by the needy,by the footsteps of the poor. Responsorial Psalm PS 118:1 AND 8-9, 19-21, 25-27A R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.orandR. Alleluia.Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,for his mercy endures forever.It is better to take refuge in the LORDthan to trust in man.It is better to take refuge in the LORDthan to trust in princes.R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.orandR. Alleluia.Open to me the gates of justiceI will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.This gate is the LORD’sthe just shall enter it.I will give thanks to you, for you have answered meand have been my savior.R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.orandR. Alleluia.O LORD, grant salvation!O LORD, grant prosperity!Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORDwe bless you from the house of the LORD.The LORD is God, and he has given us light.R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.orandR. Alleluia. Alleluia IS 55and6 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Seek the LORD while he may be foundcall him while he is near.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel MT 7:21, 24-27 Jesus said to his disciplesand Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’will enter the Kingdom of heaven,but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on themwill be like a wise man who built his house on rock.The rain fell, the floods came,and the winds blew and buffeted the house.But it did not collapse it had been set solidly on rock.And everyone who listens to these words of minebut does not act on themwill be like a fool who built his house on sand.The rain fell, the floods came,and the winds blew and buffeted the house.And it collapsed and was completely ruined.