This feast of the Virgin Mary’s conception celebrates her holiness from the very first moment of her existence. It was God’s way of preparing for the birth of her son Jesus. Let us pray that we too will be holy. (pause) O God, keep us good and make us holy so that we too will be ready for the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (23:8-12) Jesus' disciples gathered around him, and he taught them: "God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven! "God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort! "God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them! "God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink. They will be given what they want! "God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be treated with mercy! The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. We Listen May the generosity of God inspire us. Amen. May God bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. We Go Forth We Respond We Pray Monday This reading is taken from the words of Jesus sometimes called the “Sermon on the Mount”. Many people were gathered around Jesus on a mountain when he told them about the ways in which God blesses us. Watch this video which explains more about the Sermon on the Mount. The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8 December 2025 224
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