Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection December 05, 2025

05th December 2025 (Friday)

Psalter: Week 1

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24

Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest? In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off, who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right. Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: “Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale. For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. And those who go astray in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction.”

Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 (R. 1a)

R/. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Behold. Our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servents

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31

At that time: As Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Friday – First Week of Advent

Main Point: Many suffer from interior blindness. They are not able to see the way. Therefore, either they do not walk the way or they stumble if they walk

1. Jesus was the awaited Messiah. The messianic times foretold in Isaiah would be fulfilled in him. His coming will usher in a restoration of fruitfulness and faithfulness. “In that day, the deaf shall hear… and the blind shall see.” “The meek shall obtain fresh joy and the poor shall exult.” There will be no more shame or distress. It will be a time of renewed sanctification. However, on the other hand, it will also be a time of divine justice. The ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who do evil shall be cut off.

2. Jesus and his mission fulfill all these messianic gifts and predictions. The healing of two blind men in the gospel is a concrete testimony to this. But what is noteworthy is that this divine gift of healing necessitates a response, cooperation from the human part.

3. This response is seen in the faith of the two blind men. Faith is the condition for God’s action. However, this does not mean that faith conditions or restricts God’s action. It only indicates that faith is required for the reception and experience of the effect of God’s grace.

4. Jesus elicits this “profession of faith” from them. Thereby he indicates to them that healing and God’s grace are not to be taken for granted. They shall not expect healing to take place automatically. Every intervention of God’s grace requires a proper disposition.

5. Hence Jesus’ question, “Do you believe that I can do this?” and they confess, “Yes, we do believe.” Thereupon, Jesus touches their eyes. Here we see the personal touch and concern of Jesus.

6. Further, we also see here the humility and the magnanimity of Jesus. He shifts the whole credit to their faith, as Jesus says, “According to your faith may it happen to you.” For sure, Jesus is not like many of us who do little but want to steal the whole show because we are too greedy for self-glory. In contrast, Jesus warns them, “See that no one knows about it.”

My Practice: The same mission of giving sight to the blind is entrusted to each one of us. There is so much darkness of sin that blinds many. We must heal their blindness and open their eyes. But for this, first of all, we should be clear-sighted