Friday in Advent — Open Word

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Verse 4. The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Verse 5. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Verse 6. “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” Verse 7. But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. Verse 8. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” Verse 9. Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Verse 10. See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.”

PSALM

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. You showed favor to Your land, O LORD; You restored Jacob from captivity.

You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin.

I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.

Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.

Faithfulness sprouts from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

The LORD will indeed provide what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps.

SECOND READING

Acts 11:19-26

Verse 19. Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews. Verse 20. But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. Verse 21. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Verse 22. When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Verse 23. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts. Verse 24. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Verse 25. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, Verse 26. and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.