Category: Daily Readings

Second Corinthians 8: 1- 9

8:1	And so we are making known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given in the churches of Macedonia.
8:2	For within a great experience of tribulation, they have had an abundance of joy, and their profound poverty has only increased the richness of their simplicity.
8:3	And I bear witness to them, that they were willing to accept what was in accord with their ability, and even what was beyond their ability.
8:4	For they were begging us, with great exhortation, for the grace and the communication of the ministry that is with the saints.
8:5	And this is beyond what we had hoped, since they gave themselves, first of all to the Lord, and then also to us, through the will of God,
8:6	so much so that we petitioned Titus, that in the same manner as he had begun, he would also complete in you this same grace.
8:7	But, just as in all things you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in all solicitude, and even more so in your charity toward us, so also may you abound in this grace.
8:8	I am speaking, not commanding. But through the solicitude of others, I approve of the good character of your charity.
8:9	For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that through his poverty, you might become rich.

Matthew 5: 43- 48

5:43	You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.’
5:44	But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you.
5:45	In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust.
5:46	For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way?
5:47	And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way?
5:48	Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Pentecost

Acts 2: 1- 11

2:1	And when the days of Pentecost were completed, they were all together in the same place.
2:2	And suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, like that of a wind approaching violently, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
2:3	And there appeared to them separate tongues, as if of fire, which settled upon each one of them.
2:4	And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they began to speak in various languages, just as the Holy Spirit bestowed eloquence to them.
2:5	Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, pious men from every nation that is under heaven.
2:6	And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused in mind, because each one was listening to them speaking in his own language.
2:7	Then all were astonished, and they wondered, saying: “Behold, are not all of these who are speaking Galileans?
2:8	And how is it that we have each heard them in our own language, into which we were born?
2:9	Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
2:10	Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya which are around Cyrene, and new arrivals of the Romans,
2:11	likewise Jews and new converts, Cretans and Arabs: we have heard them speaking in our own languages the mighty deeds of God.”

First Corinthians 12: 3- 7, 12- 13

12:3	Because of this, I would have you know that no one speaking in the Spirit of God utters a curse against Jesus. And no one is able to say that Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit.
12:4	Truly, there are diverse graces, but the same Spirit.
12:5	And there are diverse ministries, but the same Lord.
12:6	And there are diverse works, but the same God, who works everything in everyone.
12:7	However, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one toward what is beneficial.
12:12	For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ.
12:13	And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit.

or, Romans 8: 8- 17

8:8	So those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.
8:9	And you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if it is true that the Spirit of God lives within you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.
8:10	But if Christ is within you, then the body is indeed dead, concerning sin, but the spirit truly lives, because of justification.
8:11	But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead lives within you, then he who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead shall also enliven your mortal bodies, by means of his Spirit living within you.
8:12	Therefore, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, so as to live according to the flesh.
8:13	For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if, by the Spirit, you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live.
8:14	For all those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.
8:15	And you have not received, again, a spirit of servitude in fear, but you have received the Spirit of the adoption of sons, in whom we cry out: “Abba, Father!”
8:16	For the Spirit himself renders testimony to our spirit that we are the sons of God.
8:17	But if we are sons, then we are also heirs: certainly heirs of God, but also co-heirs with Christ, yet in such a way that, if we suffer with him, we shall also be glorified with him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John 20: 19- 23

20:19	Then, when it was late on the same day, on the first of the Sabbaths, and the doors were closed where the disciples were gathered, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and he said to them: “Peace to you.”
20:20	And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and side. And the disciples were gladdened when they saw the Lord.
20:21	Therefore, he said to them again: “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
20:22	When he had said this, he breathed on them. And he said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit.
20:23	Those whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

or, John 14: 15- 16, 23- 26

14:15	If you love me, keep my commandments.
14:16	And I will ask the Father, and he will give another Advocate to you, so that he may abide with you for eternity:
14:23	Jesus responded and said to him: “If anyone loves me, he shall keep my word. And my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and we will make our dwelling place with him.
14:24	Whoever does not love me, does not keep not my words. And the word that you have heard is not of me, but it is of the Father who sent me.
14:25	These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you.
14:26	But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will suggest to you everything whatsoever that I have said to you.

 

Acts 28: 16- 20, 30- 31

28:16	And when we had arrived at Rome, Paul was given permission to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
28:17	And after the third day, he called together the leaders of the Jews. And when they had convened, he said to them: “Noble brothers, I have done nothing against the people, nor against the customs of the fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
28:18	And after they held a hearing about me, they would have released me, because there was no case for death against me.
28:19	But with the Jews speaking against me, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, though it was not as if I had any kind of accusation against my own nation.
28:20	And so, because of this, I requested to see you and to speak to you. For it is because of the hope of Israel that I am encircled with this chain.”

28:30	Then he remained for two whole years in his own rented lodgings. And he received all who went in to him,
28:31	preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which are from the Lord Jesus Christ, with all faithfulness, without prohibition.

John 21: 20- 25

21:20	Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, the one who also had leaned on his chest at supper and said, “Lord, who is it who shall betray you?”
21:21	Therefore, when Peter had seen him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, but what about this one?”
21:22	Jesus said to him: “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.”
21:23	Therefore, the saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?”
21:24	This is the same disciple who offers testimony about these things, and who has written these things. And we know that his testimony is true.
21:25	Now there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if each of these were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not be able to contain the books that would be written.

Pentecost Vigil Mass

Genesis 11: 1- 9

11:1	Now the earth was of one language and of the same speech.
11:2	And when they were advancing from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt in it.
11:3	And each one said to his neighbor, “Come, let us make bricks, and bake them with fire.” And they had bricks instead of stones, and pitch instead of mortar.
11:4	And they said: “Come, let us make a city and a tower, so that its height may reach to heaven. And let us make our name famous before we are divided into all the lands.”
11:5	Then the Lord descended to see the city and the tower, which the sons of Adam were building.
11:6	And he said: “Behold, the people are united, and all have one tongue. And since they have begun to do this, they will not desist from their plans, until they have completed their work.
11:7	Therefore, come, let us descend, and in that place confound their tongue, so that they may not listen, each one to the voice of his neighbor.”
11:8	And so the Lord divided them from that place into all the lands, and they ceased to build the city.
11:9	And for this reason, its name was called ‘Babel,’ because in that place the language of the whole earth became confused. And from then on, the Lord scattered them across the face of every region.

Exodus 9: 3- 8, 16- 20

19:3	Then Moses ascended to God. And the Lord called to him from the mountain, and he said: “This you shall say to the house of Jacob, and announce to the sons of Israel:
19:4	‘You have seen what I have done to the Egyptians, in what way I carried you upon the wings of eagles and how I have taken you for myself.
19:5	If, therefore, you will hear my voice, and you will keep my covenant, you will be to me a particular possession out of all people. For all the earth is mine.
19:6	And you will be to me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you will speak to the sons of Israel.”
19:7	Moses went, and calling together those greater by birth among the people, he set forth all the words which the Lord had commanded.
19:8	And all the people responded together: “Everything that the Lord has spoken, we shall do.” And when Moses had related the words of the people to the Lord,
19:16	And now, the third day arrived and the morning dawned. And behold, thunders began to be heard, and also lightning flashed, and a very dense cloud covered the mountain, and the noise of the trumpet resounded vehemently. And the people who were in the camp were fearful.
19:17	And when Moses had led them out to meet God, from the place of the camp, they stood at the base of the mountain.
19:18	Then all of Mount Sinai was smoking. For the Lord had descended over it with fire, and smoke ascended from it, as from a furnace. And the entire mountain was terrible.
19:19	And the sound of the trumpet gradually increased to be louder, and extended to be longer. Moses was speaking, and God was answering him.
19:20	And the Lord descended over Mount Sinai, to the very top of the mountain, and he called Moses to its summit. And when he had ascended there,

Ezekiel 37: 1- 14

37:1	The hand of the Lord was set upon me, and he led me away in the Spirit of the Lord, and he released me in the midst of a plain which was full of bones.
37:2	And he led me around, through them, on every side. Now they were very many upon the face of the plain, and they were exceedingly dry.
37:3	And he said to me, “Son of man, do you think that these bones will live?” And I said, “O Lord God, you know.”
37:4	And he said to me, “Prophesy about these bones. And you shall say to them: Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!
37:5	Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will send spirit into you, and you shall live.
37:6	And I will set sinews upon you, and I will cause flesh to grow over you, and I will extend skin over you. And I will give you spirit, and you shall live. And you shall know that I am the Lord.”
37:7	And I prophesied, just as he had instructed me. But a noise occurred, as I was prophesying, and behold: a commotion. And the bones joined together, each one at its joint.
37:8	And I saw, and behold: sinews and flesh rose up over them; and skin was extended over them. But they had no spirit within them.
37:9	And he said to me: “Prophesy to the spirit! Prophesy, O son of man, and you shall say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord God: Approach, O spirit, from the four winds, and blow across these ones who were slain, and revive them.”
37:10	And I prophesied, just as he had instructed me. And spirit entered into them, and they lived. And they stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
37:11	And he said to me: “Son of man: All these bones are the house of Israel. They say: ‘Our bones are dried out, and our hope has perished, and we have been cut off.’
37:12	Because of this, prophesy, and you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your tombs, and I will lead you away from your sepulchers, O my people. And I will lead you into the land of Israel.
37:13	And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I will have opened your sepulchers, and when I will have led you away from your tombs, O my people.
37:14	And I will place my Spirit within you, and you shall live. And I will cause you to rest upon your own soil. And you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and acted, says the Lord God.”

Joel 3: 1- 5

3:1	For, behold, in those days and in that time, when I will have converted the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
3:2	I will gather all the Gentiles, and will lead them into the valley of Jehoshaphat. And there I will dispute with them over my people, and over Israel, my inheritance, for they have scattered them among the nations and have divided my land.
3:3	And they have cast lots over my people; and the boy they have placed in the brothel, and the girl they have sold for wine, so that they might drink.
3:4	Truly, what is there between you and me, Tyre and Sidon and all the distant places of the Philistines? How will you take vengeance on me? And if you were to revenge yourselves against me, I would deliver a repayment to you, quickly and soon, upon your head.
3:5	For you have carried away my silver and gold. And my desirable and most beautiful, you have taken into your shrines.

Romans 8: 22- 27

8:22	For we know that every creature groans inwardly, as if giving birth, even until now;
8:23	and not only these, but also ourselves, since we hold the first-fruits of the Spirit. For we also groan within ourselves, anticipating our adoption as the sons of God, and the redemption of our body.
8:24	For we have been saved by hope. But a hope which is seen is not hope. For when a man sees something, why would he hope?
8:25	But since we hope for what we do not see, we wait with patience.
8:26	And similarly, the Spirit also helps our weakness. For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself asks on our behalf with ineffable sighing.
8:27	And he who examines hearts knows what the Spirit seeks, because he asks on behalf of the saints in accordance with God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John 7: 37- 39

7:37	Then, on the last great day of the feast, Jesus was standing and crying out, saying: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink:
7:38	whoever believes in me, just as Scripture says, ‘From his chest shall flow rivers of living water.’ ”
7:39	Now he said this about the Spirit, which those who believe in him would soon be receiving. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Acts 25: 13- 21

25:13	And when some days had passed, king Agrippa and Bernice descended to Caesarea, to greet Festus.
25:14	And since they remained there for many days, Festus spoke to the king about Paul, saying: “A certain man was left behind as a prisoner by Felix.
25:15	When I was at Jerusalem, the leaders of the priests and the elders of the Jews came to me about him, asking for condemnation against him.
25:16	I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to condemn any man, before he who is being accused has been confronted by his accusers and has received the opportunity to defend himself, so as to clear himself of the charges.
25:17	Therefore, when they had arrived here, without any delay, on the following day, sitting in the judgment seat, I ordered the man to be brought.
25:18	But when the accusers had stood up, they did not present any accusation about him from which I would suspect evil.
25:19	Instead, they brought against him certain disputes about their own superstition and about a certain Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
25:20	Therefore, being in doubt about this kind of question, I asked him if he was willing go to Jerusalem and to be judged there about these things.
25:21	But since Paul was appealing to be kept for a decision before Augustus, I ordered him to be kept, until I might send him to Caesar.”

John 21: 15- 19

21:15	Then, when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
21:16	He said to him again: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
21:17	He said to him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was very grieved that he had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” And so he said to him: “Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my sheep.
21:18	Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you are older, you will extend your hands, and another shall gird you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
21:19	Now he said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Acts 22: 30, 23: 6- 11

22:30

But on the next day, wanting to discover more diligently what the reason was that he was accused by the Jews, he released him, and he ordered the priests to convene, with the entire council. And, producing Paul, he stationed him among them.

23:6	Now Paul, knowing that one group were Sadducees and the other were Pharisees, exclaimed in the council: “Noble brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is over the hope and resurrection of the dead that I am being judged.”
23:7	And when he had said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. And the multitude was divided.
23:8	For the Sadducees claim that there is no resurrection, and neither angels, nor spirits. But the Pharisees confess both of these.
23:9	Then there occurred a great clamor. And some of the Pharisees, rising up, were fighting, saying: “We find nothing evil in this man. What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?”
23:10	And since a great dissension had been made, the tribune, fearing that Paul might be torn apart by them, ordered the soldiers to descend and to seize him from their midst, and to bring him into the fortress.
23:11	Then, on the following night, the Lord stood near him and said: “Be constant. For just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so also it is necessary for you to testify at Rome.”

John 17: 20- 26

17:20	But I am not praying for them only, but also for those who through their word shall believe in me.
17:21	So may they all be one. Just as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you, so also may they be one in us: so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
17:22	And the glory that you have given to me, I have given to them, so that they may be one, just as we also are one.
17:23	I am in them, and you are in me. So may they be perfected as one. And may the world know that you have sent me and that you have loved them, just as you have also loved me.
17:24	Father, I will that where I am, those whom you have given to me may also be with me, so that they may see my glory which you have given to me. For you loved me before the founding of the world.
17:25	Father most just, the world has not known you. But I have known you. And these have known that you sent me.
17:26	And I have made known your name to them, and I will make it known, so that the love in which you have loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.”

Acts 20: 28- 38

20:28	Take care of yourselves and of the entire flock, over which the Holy Spirit has stationed you as Bishops to rule the Church of God, which he has purchased by his own blood.
20:29	I know that after my departure ravenous wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock.
20:30	And from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things in order to entice disciples after them.
20:31	Because of this, be vigilant, retaining in memory that throughout three years I did not cease, night and day, with tears, to admonish each and every one of you.
20:32	And now, I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace. He has the power to build up, and to give an inheritance to all who are sanctified.
20:33	I have coveted neither silver and gold, nor apparel,
20:34	as you yourselves know. For that which was needed by me and by those who are with me, these hands have provided.
20:35	I have revealed all things to you, because by laboring in this way, it is necessary to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
20:36	And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with all of them.
20:37	Then a great weeping occurred among them all. And, falling upon the neck of Paul, they kissed him,
20:38	being grieved most of all over the word which he had said, that they would never see his face again. And they brought him to the ship.

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 20: 17- 27

20:17	Then, sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called those greater by birth in the church.
20:18	And when they had come to him and were together, he said to them: “You know that from the first day when I entered into Asia, I have been with you, for the entire time, in this manner:
20:19	serving the Lord, with all humility and despite the tears and trials which befell me from the treacheries of the Jews,
20:20	how I held back nothing that was of value, how well I have preached to you, and that I have taught you publicly and throughout the houses,
20:21	testifying both to Jews and to Gentiles about repentance in God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
20:22	And now, behold, being obliged in spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there,
20:23	except that the Holy Spirit, throughout every city, has cautioned me, saying that chains and tribulations await me at Jerusalem.
20:24	But I dread none of these things. Neither do I consider my life to be more precious because it is my own, provided that in some way I may complete my own course and that of the ministry of the Word, which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.
20:25	And now, behold, I know that you will no longer see my face, all of you among whom I have traveled, preaching the kingdom of God.
20:26	For this reason, I call you as witnesses on this very day: that I am clean from the blood of all.
20:27	For I have not turned aside in the least from announcing every counsel of God to you.

John 17: 1- 11

17:1	Jesus said these things, and then, lifting up his eyes toward heaven, he said: “Father, the hour has arrived: glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you,
17:2	just as you have given authority over all flesh to him, so that he may give eternal life to all those whom you have given to him.
17:3	And this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
17:4	I have glorified you on earth. I have completed the work that you gave me to accomplish.
17:5	And now Father, glorify me within yourself, with the glory that I had with you before the world ever was.
17:6	I have manifested your name to the men whom you have given to me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me. And they have kept your word.
17:7	Now they realize that all the things that you have given me are from you.
17:8	For I have given them the words that you gave to me. And they have accepted these words, and they have truly understood that I went forth from you, and they have believed that you sent me.
17:9	I pray for them. I do not pray for the world, but for those whom you have given to me. For they are yours.
17:10	And all that is mine is yours, and all that is yours is mine, and I am glorified in this.
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.

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

16:29	His disciples said to him: “Behold, now you are speaking plainly and not reciting a proverb.
16:30	Now 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.”
16:31	Jesus answered them: “Do you believe now?
16:32	Behold, 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.
16:33	These 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.”

Acts 7: 55- 59

7:55	But he, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and gazing intently toward heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.”
7:56	Then they, crying out with a loud voice, blocked their ears and, with one accord, rushed violently toward him.
7:57	And driving him out, beyond the city, they stoned him. And witnesses placed their garments beside the feet of a youth, who was called Saul.
7:58	And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
7:59	Then, having been brought to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his murder.

Revelation 22: 12- 14, 16- 17, 20

22:12	“Behold, I am approaching quickly! And my repayment is with me, to render to each one according to his works.
22:13	I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
22:14	Blessed are those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb. So may they have a right to the tree of life; so may they enter through the gates into the City.
22:16	“I, Jesus, have sent my Angel, to testify to these things for you among the Churches. I am the Root and the Origin of David, the bright morning Star.”
22:17	And the Spirit and the Bride say: “Draw near.” And whoever hears, let him say: “Draw near.” And whoever thirsts, let him draw near. And whoever is willing, let him accept the water of life, freely.
22:20	He who offers testimony to these things, says: “Even now, I am approaching quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

John 17: 20- 26

17:20	But I am not praying for them only, but also for those who through their word shall believe in me.
17:21	So may they all be one. Just as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you, so also may they be one in us: so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
17:22	And the glory that you have given to me, I have given to them, so that they may be one, just as we also are one.
17:23	I am in them, and you are in me. So may they be perfected as one. And may the world know that you have sent me and that you have loved them, just as you have also loved me.
17:24	Father, I will that where I am, those whom you have given to me may also be with me, so that they may see my glory which you have given to me. For you loved me before the founding of the world.
17:25	Father most just, the world has not known you. But I have known you. And these have known that you sent me.
17:26	And I have made known your name to them, and I will make it known, so that the love in which you have loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.”

Readings for the Ascension of the Lord

Acts 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.”

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, Hebrews 9: 24- 28, 10: 19- 23

9:24	For Jesus did not enter by means of holy things made with hands, mere examples of the true things, but he entered into Heaven itself, so that he may appear now before the face of God for us.
9:25	And he did not enter so as to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters into the Holy of Holies each year, with the blood of another.
9:26	Otherwise, he would need to have suffered repeatedly since the beginning of the world. But now, one time, at the consummation of the ages, he has appeared in order to destroy sin though his own sacrifice.
9:27	And in the same manner as it has been appointed for men to die one time, and after this, to be judged,
9:28	so also Christ was offered, one time, in order to empty the sins of so many. He shall appear a second time without sin, for those who await him, unto salvation.

10:19	And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ,
10:20	and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh,
10:21	and in the Great Priest over the house of God.
10:22	So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water.
10:23	Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

Luke 24: 46- 53

24:46	And he said to them: “For so it is written, and so it was necessary, for the Christ to suffer and to rise up from the dead on the third day,
24:47	and, in his name, for repentance and the remission of sins to be preached, among all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
24:48	And you are witnesses of these things.
24:49	And I am sending the Promise of my Father upon you. But you must stay in the city, until such time as you are clothed with power from on high.”
24:50	Then he led them out as far as Bethania. And lifting up his hands, he blessed them.
24:51	And it happened that, while he was blessing them, he withdrew from them, and he was carried up into heaven.
24:52	And worshiping, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
24:53	And they were always in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Zephaniah 3: 14- 18

3:14	Give praise, daughter of Zion. Shout joyfully, Israel. Rejoice and exult with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem.
3:15	The Lord has taken away your judgment; he has turned aside your foes. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall no longer fear evil.
3:16	In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem, “Do not be afraid,” and to Zion, “Do not let your hands be weakened.”
3:17	The Lord your God is the strength in your midst; he will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness. In his love, he will be silent. He will exult over you with praise.
3:18	The triflers who withdrew from the law, I will gather together, because they were from you, so that you may no longer suffer disgrace over them.

or, Romans 12: 9- 16

12:9	Let love be without falseness: hating evil, clinging to what is good,
12:10	loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor:
12:11	in solicitude, not lazy; in spirit, fervent; serving the Lord;
12:12	in hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, ever-willing;
12:13	in the difficulties of the saints, sharing; in hospitality, attentive.
12:14	Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse.
12:15	Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Weep with those who are weeping.
12:16	Be of the same mind toward one another: not savoring what is exalted, but consenting in humility. Do not choose to seem wise to yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke 1: 39- 56

1:39	And in those days, Mary, rising up, traveled quickly into the hill country, to a city of Judah.
1:40	And she entered into the house of Zechariah, and she greeted Elizabeth.
1:41	And it happened that, as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
1:42	And she cried out with a loud voice and said: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
1:43	And how does this concern me, so that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
1:44	For behold, as the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
1:45	And blessed are you who believed, for the things that were spoken to you by the Lord shall be accomplished.”
1:46	And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord.
1:47	And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Saviour.
1:48	For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed.
1:49	For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
1:50	And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him.
1:51	He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart.
1:52	He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble.
1:53	He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
1:54	He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy,
1:55	just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
1:56	Then Mary stayed with her for about three months. And she returned to her own house.