December 2
Wednesday, week 1 of Advent
On this day, the Church observes a weekday of Advent, simply referred to as a 'ferial day.' During Advent, the liturgy sets aside specific saints' commemorations on many weekdays to allow the faithful to focus on preparing spiritually for the coming of Christ at Christmas. The prayers and readings invite believers to reflect on themes of hope, waiting, and conversion, drawing on the prophetic messages and the longing for the Messiah found throughout Scripture.
The character of Advent ferial days is one of quiet expectation and penitence, marked liturgically by the color violet. The lectionary readings gradually unveil the story of salvation, especially the promises made to Israel, and encourage the faithful to deepen their prayer and penitential practices. The Church's intention is to create space in the rhythm of daily life for personal reflection, a turning again to God, and attentive listening to His word. By setting aside ordinary activities and focusing on the mystery of Christ's coming, Advent ferial days help build a spiritual anticipation that culminates in the joy of Christmas.
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Questions about Wednesday, week 1 of Advent (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingIs 25, 6-10a
On that day,
the Lord of hosts
will prepare for all peoples, on his mountain,
a feast of rich meats and choice wines,
a feast of juicy meats and well-refined wines.
On this mountain, he will destroy
the mourning veil that shrouds all peoples
and the shroud that covers all nations.
He will destroy death forever.
The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face,
and he will remove his people's disgrace from the whole earth.
The Lord has spoken.
And on that day it will be said:
"Here is our God;
we hoped in him, and he has saved us;
this is the Lord,
in him we hoped;
let us exult, let us rejoice:
he has saved us!"
For the hand of the Lord
will rest on this mountain.
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 22 (23), 1-2ab, 2cd-3, 4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd:
I lack nothing.
In green pastures,
he lets me rest.
He leads me to tranquil waters
and restores my soul;
he guides me along the right path
for the sake of his name.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil,
for you are with me:
your rod and your staff guide me and reassure me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you pour oil on my head,
my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy accompany me
all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for all the length of my days.
GospelMt 15, 29-37
At that time,
Jesus arrived near the Sea of Galilee.
He went up the mountain and sat down there.
Large crowds came to him,
bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute,
and many others;
they laid them at his feet and he healed them.
So the crowd was amazed
when they saw mute people speaking, the crippled cured,
the lame walking, the blind seeing;
and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus called his disciples and said to them:
"I am moved with compassion for this crowd,
because already for three days they have stayed with me,
and have nothing to eat.
I do not want to send them away hungry,
they might collapse on the way."
The disciples said to him:
"Where can we find enough bread in this deserted place
to satisfy such a crowd?"
Jesus asked them:
"How many loaves do you have?"
They said:
"Seven, and a few small fish."
Then he ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
He took the seven loaves and the fish;
gave thanks,
broke them,
and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowds.
All ate and were satisfied.
They collected the pieces left over:
it filled seven baskets.
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org