Daily Readings

Reading I Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, “My brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. Judas was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. For it is written in the Book of Psalms:             Let his encampment become desolate,                         and may no one dwell in it. and:             May another take his office. Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. Responsorial Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 R.        (8)  The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people. or: R.        Alleluia. Praise, you servants of the LORD,             praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD             both now and forever. R.        The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people. or: R.        Alleluia. From the rising to the setting of the sun             is the name of the LORD to be praised. High above all nations is the LORD;             above the heavens is his glory. R.        The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people. or: R.        Alleluia. Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high             and looks upon the heavens and the earth below? R.        The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people. or: R.        Alleluia. He raises up the lowly from the dust;             from the dunghill he lifts up the poor To seat them with princes,             with the princes of his own people. R.        The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people. or: R.        Alleluia. Alleluia See Jn 15:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia. I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 15:9-17 Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you:  love one another.”   - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Acts 19:1-8 While Apollos was in Corinth,Paul traveled through the interior of the countryand down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them,“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”They answered him,“We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”He said, “How were you baptized?”They replied, “With the baptism of John.”Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance,telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,that is, in Jesus.”When they heard this,they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.And when Paul laid his hands on them,the Holy Spirit came upon them,and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.Altogether there were about twelve men.He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldlywith persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God. Responsorial Psalm PS 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.or:R. Alleluia.God arises; his enemies are scattered,and those who hate him flee before him.As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;as wax melts before the fire. R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.or:R. Alleluia.But the just rejoice and exult before God;they are glad and rejoice.Sing to God, chant praise to his name;whose name is the LORD. R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.or:R. Alleluia.The father of orphans and the defender of widowsis God in his holy dwelling.God gives a home to the forsaken;he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia Col 3:1 R. Alleluia, alleluia.If then you were raised with Christ,seek what is above,where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 16:29-33 The disciples said to Jesus,“Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech.Now we realize that you know everythingand that you do not need to have anyone question you.Because of this we believe that you came from God.”Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now?Behold, the hour is coming and has arrivedwhen each of you will be scattered to his own homeand you will leave me alone.But I am not alone, because the Father is with me.I have told you this so that you might have peace in me.In the world you will have trouble,but take courage, I have conquered the world.” Readings for the Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Seventh Sunday of Easter Solemnity of the Ascension - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter - AscensionReadings for the Seventh Sunday of EasterReading I Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” Responsorial Psalm Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9  R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or:R. Alleluia. All you peoples, clap your hands,     shout to God with cries of gladness, For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,     is the great king over all the earth.R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or:R. Alleluia. God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;     the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise;     sing praise to our king, sing praise.R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or:R. Alleluia. For king of all the earth is God;     sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations,     God sits upon his holy throne.R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or:R. Alleluia. Reading II Eph 1:17-23 Brothers and sisters: May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. OR: Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13 Brothers and sisters, I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  Therefore, it says:     He ascended on high and took prisoners captive;     he gave gifts to men. What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.  OR: Brothers and sisters, I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.  Alleluia Mt 28:19a, 20b R. Alleluia, alleluia. Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mk 16:15-20 Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter - AscensionReadings for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the LordReading 1 Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26 Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers—there was a group of about one hundred and twenty personsin the one place —.He said, “My brothers,the Scripture had to be fulfilledwhich the Holy Spirit spoke beforehandthrough the mouth of David, concerning Judas,who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus.He was numbered among usand was allotted a share in this ministry.“For it is written in the Book of Psalms:May another take his office.“Therefore, it is necessary that one of the menwho accompanied us the whole timethe Lord Jesus came and went among us,beginning from the baptism of Johnuntil the day on which he was taken up from us,become with us a witness to his resurrection.”So they proposed two, Judas called Barsabbas,who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.Then they prayed,“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,show which one of these two you have chosento take the place in this apostolic ministryfrom which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,and he was counted with the eleven apostles. Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 R. (19a) The Lord has set his throne in heaven.or:R. Alleluia.Bless the LORD, O my soul;and all my being, bless his holy name.Bless the LORD, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits.R. The Lord has set his throne in heaven.or:R. Alleluia.For as the heavens are high above the earth,so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.As far as the east is from the west,so far has he put our transgressions from us.R. The Lord has set his throne in heaven.or:R. Alleluia.The LORD has established his throne in heaven,and his kingdom rules over all.Bless the LORD, all you his angels,you mighty in strength, who do his bidding.R. The Lord has set his throne in heaven.or:R. Alleluia. Reading 2 1 Jn 4:11-16 Beloved, if God so loved us,we also must love one another.No one has ever seen God.Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,and his love is brought to perfection in us.This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us,that he has given us of his Spirit.Moreover, we have seen and testifythat the Father sent his Son as savior of the world.Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,God remains in him and he in God.We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.God is love, and whoever remains in loveremains in God and God in him. Alleluia Cf. Jn 14:18 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord.I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 17:11b-19 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:“Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me,so that they may be one just as we are one.When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,and I guarded them, and none of them was lostexcept the son of destruction,in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.But now I am coming to you.I speak this in the worldso that they may share my joy completely.I gave them your word, and the world hated them,because they do not belong to the worldany more than I belong to the world.I do not ask that you take them out of the worldbut that you keep them from the evil one.They do not belong to the worldany more than I belong to the world.Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.As you sent me into the world,so I sent them into the world.And I consecrate myself for them,so that they also may be consecrated in truth.” - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Acts 18:23-28 After staying in Antioch some time,Paul left and traveled in orderly sequencethrough the Galatian country and Phrygia,bringing strength to all the disciples.A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria,an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus.He was an authority on the Scriptures.He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and,with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,although he knew only the baptism of John.He began to speak boldly in the synagogue;but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him,they took him asideand explained to him the Way of God more accurately.And when he wanted to cross to Achaia,the brothers encouraged himand wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.After his arrival he gave great assistanceto those who had come to believe through grace.He vigorously refuted the Jews in public,establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus. Responsorial Psalm 47:2-3, 8-9, 10 R.    (8a)  God is king of all the earth.or:R.    Alleluia.All you peoples, clap your hands;shout to God with cries of gladness.For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,is the great king over all the earth.R.    God is king of all the earth.or:R.    Alleluia.For king of all the earth is God;sing hymns of praise.God reigns over the nations,God sits upon his holy throne.R.    God is king of all the earth.or:R.    Alleluia.The princes of the peoples are gathered togetherwith the people of the God of Abraham.For God’s are the guardians of the earth;he is supreme.R.    God is king of all the earth.or:R.    Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 16:28 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I came from the Father and have come into the world;now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 16:23b-28 Jesus said to his disciples:“Amen, amen, I say to you,whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.Until now you have not asked anything in my name;ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.“I have told you this in figures of speech.The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figuresbut I will tell you clearly about the Father.On that day you will ask in my name,and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved meand have come to believe that I came from God.I came from the Father and have come into the world.Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Readings for the Optional Memorial of John of Avila, Priest and Doctor of the ChurchReading 1 Acts 18:9-18 One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,"Do not be afraid.Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.No one will attack and harm you,for I have many people in this city."He settled there for a year and a halfand taught the word of God among them.But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,the Jews rose up together against Pauland brought him to the tribunal, saying,"This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law."When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews,"If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud,I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titlesand your own law, see to it yourselves.I do not wish to be a judge of such matters."And he drove them away from the tribunal.They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official,and beat him in full view of the tribunal.But none of this was of concern to Gallio.Paul remained for quite some time,and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria,together with Priscilla and Aquila.At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow. Responsorial Psalm Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 R. (8a) God is king of all the earth.or:R. Alleluia.All you peoples, clap your hands,shout to God with cries of gladness,For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,is the great king over all the earth. R. God is king of all the earth.or:R. Alleluia.He brings people under us;nations under our feet.He chooses for us our inheritance,the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.R. God is king of all the earth.or:R. Alleluia.God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.Sing praise to God, sing praise;sing praise to our king, sing praise.R. God is king of all the earth.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Lk 24:46, 26 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,and so enter into his glory.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 16:20-23 Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn,while the world rejoices;you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived;but when she has given birth to a child,she no longer remembers the pain because of her joythat a child has been born into the world.So you also are now in anguish.But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice,and no one will take your joy away from you.On that day you will not question me about anything.Amen, amen, I say to you,whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you." Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Damien Joseph de Veuster of Moloka’i, priest - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.