Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church
S. Ioannis Damasceni, presbyteri et EcclesiĂŠ doctoris
Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church is solemnly commemorated today in the Roman Catholic Church and the sacred liturgy. The Church honours their heroic faith, steadfast love for Jesus Christ, and exemplary Christian virtue as an inspiring model and heavenly intercessor for all believers.
Through their prayers and intercession, we ask Almighty God for grace, healing, purity of heart, and perseverance in our daily Christian journey.
Saint John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Optional memorial · may be celebrated at the priest's choice
Daily Mass Readings
â Live Daily Lectionary (2025-12-04)
First Reading
Isaiah 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
âA strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust is in you.â
Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a
R. (26a) Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORDâs;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Holy Gospel
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples:
âNot everyone who says to me, âLord, Lord,â
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
âEveryone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.â
Official Catholic Lectionary (NABRE). Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Lectionary for Mass.