Friday, December 27 : Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 23,29-39.24,1-2.

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous,
and you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.”
Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets.
Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors.
You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell?
Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town,
so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.
‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
See, your house is left to you, desolate.
For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’
As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.
Then he asked them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’

maronite readings – rosary,team