Thursday, 25 November 2027
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr
Readings for the universal ChurchGeneral Roman Calendar, used by Catholics worldwide
First Reading
11Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. 12Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king’s decree: “Haven’t you signed a decree that every man who makes a petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered, “This thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter.” 13Then they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn’t respect you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him. 15Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed.” 16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.” 17A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting. No musical instruments were brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. 19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. 20When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?” 21Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because I am innocent in his sight. Also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them and broke all their bones in pieces before they came to the bottom of the den. 25Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you.
26“I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel;
“for he is the living God,
and steadfast forever.
His kingdom is that which will not be destroyed.
His dominion will be even to the end.
27He delivers and rescues.
He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth,
who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Responsorial Psalm
Daniel 3:68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74
68O you dews and storms of snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
69O you nights and days, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
70O you light and darkness, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
71O you cold and heat, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
72O you frost and snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
73O you lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!
74O let the earth bless the Lord! Let it praise and exalt him above all forever!
Gospel
20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath to this people. 24They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; 26men fainting for fear and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
Why two sets of readings today? In the United States, priests may celebrate a special Mass for Thanksgiving Day, with readings chosen for thanking God for all his gifts. Elsewhere, and at many U.S. Masses too, the readings of the weekday are used.
In the United StatesMay be celebrated today in the United States
Thanksgiving Day
First Reading
22Now bless the God of all,
who everywhere does great things,
who exalts our days from the womb,
and deals with us according to his mercy.
23May he grant us joyfulness of heart,
and that peace may be in our days in Israel for the days of eternity,
24to entrust his mercy with us,
and let him deliver us in his time!
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11
2Every day I will praise you.
I will extol your name forever and ever.
3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised!
His greatness is unsearchable.
4One generation will commend your works to another,
and will declare your mighty acts.
5I will meditate on the glorious majesty of your honor,
on your wondrous works.
6Men will speak of the might of your awesome acts.
I will declare your greatness.
7They will utter the memory of your great goodness,
and will sing of your righteousness.
8The LORD is gracious, merciful,
slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
9The LORD is good to all.
His tender mercies are over all his works.
10All your works will give thanks to you, LORD.
Your saints will extol you.
11They will speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and talk about your power,
Second Reading
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I always thank my God concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge— 6even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you— 7so that you come behind in no gift, waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gospel
11As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. 12As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. 13They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. 16He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” 19Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”
Text: World English Bible, Catholic Edition (public domain). Reading citations: cpbjr/catholic-readings-api (MIT license). The Lectionary text used at Mass in the United States is the NABRE, which you can read at USCCB.