Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 12, 2025
First Reading: Zechariah 2.10-13 or Revelation 11.19a; 12.1, 3-6a, 10ab
10Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.11And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.12And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.13Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.5And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Judith 13
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Gospel: Luke 1.39-47
39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Sermon
The prophet Zechariah paints a glorious vision of the Lord dwelling among His people, causing Zion to rejoice and drawing many nations into His fold. This ancient prophecy, given to a people rebuilding after exile, looks forward to a time when God's presence will be tangible and universal, prompting a profound silence of reverence. We see the profound beginning of this promise in the Gospel, where Mary, bearing the Lord within her, journeys to Elizabeth. At Mary's greeting, the infant John leaps in his mother's womb, a spontaneous outburst of joy recognizing the presence of the Messiah. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, blesses Mary and marvels that the Mother of her Lord has come to her, confirming the prophetic words that God indeed dwells in our midst.
These readings beautifully intertwine, showing the transition from prophecy to fulfillment. Zechariah declares God's intent to "dwell in your midst" and cause "many nations" to join Him, while Luke demonstrates the very initial, intimate realization of this dwelling. The presence of Christ, carried by Mary, elicits an immediate and joyful response, a spiritual recognition that transcends words. This encounter reminds us that God truly desires to be present in our daily lives and within us, not just in distant sacred spaces. Like Mary, we are called to bring Christ to others, recognizing that our faith, like hers, makes God's promises actionable and brings His joy into the world. Our lives, then, become spaces where the Lord dwells, prompting us to approach each day with expectant hearts, ready to experience and share the profound joy of His presence, even as we cultivate a silent reverence for His holy work within and around us. The Magnificat, Mary's song of praise, serves as a timeless example of how to respond to God's incredible grace—with a heart overflowing with joy and gratitude for a God who lifts up the humble and fulfills His promises.