April 17, 2023
Reading 1 Acts 4:23-31
After their release Peter and John went back to their own peopleand reported what the chief priests and elders had told them.And when they heard it,they raised their voices to God with one accordand said, "Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earthand the sea and all that is in them,you said by the Holy Spiritthrough the mouth of our father David, your servant:Why did the Gentiles rageand the peoples entertain folly?The kings of the earth took their standand the princes gathered togetheragainst the Lord and against his anointed.Indeed they gathered in this cityagainst your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed,Herod and Pontius Pilate,together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,to do what your hand and your willhad long ago planned to take place.And now, Lord, take note of their threats,and enable your servants to speak your wordwith all boldness, as you stretch forth your hand to heal,and signs and wonders are donethrough the name of your holy servant Jesus."As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook,and they were all filled with the Holy Spiritand continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 2:1-3, 4-7a, 7b-9
R. (see 11d) Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Why do the nations rageand the peoples utter folly?The kings of the earth rise up,and the princes conspire togetheragainst the LORD and against his anointed:"Let us break their fettersand cast their bonds from us!"R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.He who is throned in heaven laughs;the LORD derides them.Then in anger he speaks to them;he terrifies them in his wrath:"I myself have set up my kingon Zion, my holy mountain."I will proclaim the decree of the LORD.R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;this day I have begotten you.Ask of me and I will give youthe nations for an inheritanceand the ends of the earth for your possession.You shall rule them with an iron rod;you shall shatter them like an earthen dish."R. Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Col 3:1
R. Alleluia, alleluia.If then you were raised with Christ,seek what is above,where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 3:1-8
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.He came to Jesus at night and said to him,"Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,for no one can do these signs that you are doingunless God is with him."Jesus answered and said to him,"Amen, amen, I say to you,unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him,"How can a man once grown old be born again?Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?"Jesus answered,"Amen, amen, I say to you,unless one is born of water and Spirithe cannot enter the Kingdom of God.What is born of flesh is fleshand what is born of spirit is spirit.Do not be amazed that I told you,'You must be born from above.'The wind blows where it wills,and you can hear the sound it makes,but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
- - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.