Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent
and dwell on your holy mountain?

The man who walks without fault,
who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart,
he who does not slander with his tongue,

who does no wrong to his kindred,
who casts no slur on his neighbors,
who holds the godless in disdain,
but honors those who fear the Lord;

those who keep their word, come what may,
who take no interest on a loan
and accept no bribes against the innocent.
Such people will stand firm for ever. Glory...

Antiphon 1: There was a man sent from God whose name was John.


Antiphon 2: He came to bear witness to the truth.

Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
he is generous, merciful and just.

The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honor.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.

He has no fear of evil news;
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes.

Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory.

The wicked man sees and is angry,
grinds his teeth and fades away;
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.  Glory...

Antiphon 2: He came to bear witness to the truth.


Antiphon 3: John was like a brilliantly shining light.

Who would dare refuse you honor,
or the glory due your name, O Lord?

Since you alone are holy,
all nations shall come
and worship in your presence.
Your mighty deeds are clearly seen. Glory...

Antiphon 3: John was like a brilliantly shining light.


READING          Acts 13:23-25
According to his promise, God has brought forth from David's descendants Jesus, a savior for Israel. John heralded the coming of Jesus by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; And John's career was coming to an end, he would say, 'What you suppose me to be I am not. Rather, look for the one who comes after me. I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'


RESPONSORY
Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.
- Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.
He who is to come after me existed before me;
- make straight his paths.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
- Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.


MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: This child, born to us, is greater than any prophet; the Savior said of him: There is no man born of women greater than John the Baptist.


INTERCESSIONS
Let us pray joyfully to God our Father who called John the Baptist to proclaim the coming of the kingdom of Christ:

               O Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.

You called John the Baptist from his mother's womb to prepare the way of your Son,
 - help us to follow in the path which the Baptist opened before the Lord Jesus.

May your Church, in imitation of the Baptist, fearlessly point out the Lamb of God,
 - so that people in every age may acknowledge that the Lord comes to them.

John the Baptist did not exalt himself but acknowledged his role as the forerunner of Christ,
 - teach us to acknowledge that you are the giver of all our good gifts and that we must use them in your service.

You called John the Baptist to give testimony to you by his life and even by his death,
 - help us to imitate his unceasing witness to you truth.

Remember those who have died,
 - give them a place of light, happiness and peace.


Our Father...


PRAYER
O God, you raised up the blessed John the Baptist
to make ready a perfect people for Christ the Lord.
Give your people the grace of spiritual joy
 and guide the minds of all the faithful
 onto the path of salvation and peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
 who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
 God for ever and ever.