Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.

Acts 19: 1- 8

19:1	Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples.
19:2	And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
19:3	Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
19:4	Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
19:5	Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
19:6	And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying.
19:7	Now the men were about twelve in all.
19:8	Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

John 16: 29- 33

16:29His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.

16:30Now we know that you know all things, and that you have no need for anyone to question you. By this, we believe that you went forth from God.”

16:31Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?

16:32Behold, the hour is coming, and it has now arrived, when you will be scattered, each one on his own, and you will leave me behind, alone. And yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that you may have peace in me. In the world, you will have difficulties. But have confidence: I have overcome the world.”

cts 1: 15- 17, 20-26

1:15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):
1:16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.
1:17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

1:20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’
1:21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”
1:23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
1:24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,
1:25 to take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”
1:26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

First Letter of John 4: 11- 16

4:11	Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
4:12	No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
4:13	In this way, we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he has given to us from his Spirit.
4:14	And we have seen, and we testify, that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
4:15	Whoever has confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
4:16	And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love. And he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him.

The Holy Gospel According to John 17: 11-19

17:11 And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one.
17:12 While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.
17:13 And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves.
17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world.
17:15 I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil.
17:16 They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world.
17:17 Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth.
17:18 Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
17:19 And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth.

Acts 18: 23- 28

18:23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

18:25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly.

18:27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed.

18:28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

John 16: 23- 28

16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.
16:24	Until now, you have not requested anything in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full.
16:25	I have spoken these things to you in proverbs. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in proverbs; instead, I will announce to you plainly from the Father.
16:26	In that day, you shall ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father for you.
16:27	For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and because you have believed that I went forth from God.
16:28	I went forth from the Father, and I have come into the world. Next I am leaving the world, and I am going to the Father.”

Acts 18: 9- 18

18:9	Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10	For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11	Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12	But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13	saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14	Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15	Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16	And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17	But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18	Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

John 16: 20- 23

16:20	Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21	A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22	Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23	And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.

he Ascension of the Lord

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11

1:1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,
1:2 instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.
1:3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.
1:4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.
1:5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”
1:6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”
1:7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.
1:8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
1:9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
1:10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.
1:11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

Second Reading

The Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1: 17-23

1:17 so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him.
1:18 May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints,
1:19 and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue,
1:20 which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens,
1:21 above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age.
1:22 And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church,
1:23 which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone.

or, Ephesians 4: 1-13

4:1	And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called:
4:2	with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3	Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace.
4:4	One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling:
4:5	one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6	one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7	Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ.
4:8	Because of this, he says: “Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.”
4:9	Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descended, first to the lower parts of the earth?
4:10	He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything.
4:11	And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers,
4:12	for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ,
4:13	until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

Mark 16: 15-20

16:15	And he said to them: “Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
16:16	Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned.
16:17	Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages.
16:18	They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.”
16:19	And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God.
16:20	Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 17: 15, 22-18:1

17:15 Then those who were leading Paul brought him as far as Athens. And having received an order from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they set out.
17:22 But Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are rather superstitious.
17:23 For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you:
17:24 the God who made the world and all that is in it, the One who is the Lord of heaven and earth, who does not live in temples made with hands.
17:25 Neither is he served by the hands of men, as if in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all things life and breath and all else.
17:26 And he has made, out of one, every family of man: to live upon the face of the entire earth, determining the appointed seasons and the limits of their habitation,
17:27 so as to seek God, if perhaps they may consider him or find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
17:28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and exist.’ Just as some of your own poets have said. ‘For we are also of his family.’
17:29 Therefore, since we are of the family of God, we must not consider gold or silver or precious stones, or the engravings of art and of the imagination of man, to be a representation of what is Divine.
17:30 And indeed, God, having looked down to see the ignorance of these times, has now announced to men that everyone everywhere should do penance.
17:31 For he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in equity, through the man whom he has appointed, offering faith to all, by raising him from the dead.”
17:32 And when they had heard about the Resurrection of the dead, indeed, some were derisive, while others said, “We will listen to you about this again.”
17:33 So Paul departed from their midst.
17:34 Yet truly, certain men, adhering to him, did believe. Among these were also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

18:1 After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John 16: 12-15

16:12 I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.
16:13 But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come.
16:14 He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you.
16:15 All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you.

Acts 16: 22- 34

16:22	And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs.
16:23	And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently.
16:24	And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.
16:25	Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them.
16:26	Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released.
16:27	Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28	But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!”
16:29	Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas.
16:30	And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”
16:31	So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.”
16:32	And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house.
16:33	And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household.
16:34	And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

John 16: 5- 11

16:5	But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?’
16:6	But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
16:7	But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you.
16:8	And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment:
16:9	about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me;
16:10	about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer;
16:11	about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged.

Acts 16: 11-15

16:11 And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis,

16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

16:13 Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

16:14 And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying.

16:15 And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Gospel
John 15: 26-16: 4

15:26 But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me.

15:27 And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.”

16:1 “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble.

16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God.

16:3 And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me.

16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you.

Acts 10: 25- 26, 34- 35, 44- 48

10:25	And it happened that, when Peter had entered, Cornelius went to meet him. And falling before his feet, he reverenced.
10:26	Yet truly, Peter, lifting him up, said: “Rise up, for I also am only a man.”

10:34	Then, Peter, opening his mouth, said: “I have concluded in truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
10:35	But within every nation, whoever fears him and works justice is acceptable to him.

10:44	While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell over all of those who were listening to the Word.
10:45	And the faithful of the circumcision, who had arrived with Peter, were astonished that the grace of the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon the Gentiles.
10:46	For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
10:47	Then Peter responded, “How could anyone prohibit water, so that those who have received the Holy Spirit would not be baptized, just as we also have been?”
10:48	And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they begged him to remain with them for some days.

First Letter of John 4: 7- 10

4:7	Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
4:8	Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.
4:9	The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
4:10	In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins.

John 15: 9- 17

15:9	As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my love.
15:10	If you keep my precepts, you shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept my Father’s precepts and I abide in his love.
15:11	These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be fulfilled.
15:12	This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
15:13	No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
15:14	You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you.
15:15	I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
15:16	You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you.
15:17	This I command you: that you love one another.

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles    16: 1-10

16:1	Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile.
16:2	The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him.
16:3	Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.
16:4	And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
16:5	And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.
16:6	Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.
16:7	But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
16:8	Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas.
16:9	And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!”
16:10	Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John    15: 18-21

15:18	If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you.
15:19	If you had been of the world, the world would love what is its own. Yet truly, you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; because of this, the world hates you.
15:20	Remember my saying that I told you: The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also.
15:21	But all these things they will do to you because of my name, for they do not know him who sent me.