Reading I Acts 6:1-7 As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the Apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith. Responsorial Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 R.        (22)  Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R.        Alleluia. Exult, you just, in the LORD;             praise from the upright is fitting. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;             with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. R.        Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R.        Alleluia. Upright is the word of the LORD,             and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right;             of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. R.        Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R.        Alleluia. See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,             upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death             and preserve them in spite of famine. R.        Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. or: R.        Alleluia. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia. Christ is risen, who made all things; he has shown mercy on all people.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 6:16-21 When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But he said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Acts 5:34-42 A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,and said to the Sanhedrin, "Fellow children of Israel,be careful what you are about to do to these men.Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,and all those who were loyal to himwere disbanded and came to nothing.After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.He also drew people after him,but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.So now I tell you,have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,it will destroy itself.But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;you may even find yourselves fighting against God."They were persuaded by him.After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,and dismissed them.So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,rejoicing that they had been found worthyto suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus. Responsorial Psalm Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 R. (see 4abc) One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.The LORD is my light and my salvation;whom should I fear?The LORD is my life's refuge;of whom should I be afraid?R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.One thing I ask of the LORDthis I seek:To dwell in the house of the LORDall the days of my life,That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORDand contemplate his temple.R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORDin the land of the living.Wait for the LORD with courage;be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia Mt 4:4b R. Alleluia, alleluia.One does not live on bread alone,but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 6:1-15 Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.A large crowd followed him,because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.Jesus went up on the mountain,and there he sat down with his disciples. The Jewish feast of Passover was near.When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,he said to Philip, "Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?"He said this to test him,because he himself knew what he was going to do.Philip answered him,"Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enoughfor each of them to have a little."One of his disciples,Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;but what good are these for so many?"Jesus said, "Have the people recline." Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,and distributed them to those who were reclining,and also as much of the fish as they wanted.When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,"Gather the fragments left over,so that nothing will be wasted."So they collected them,and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragmentsfrom the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,"This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world." Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him offto make him king,he withdrew again to the mountain alone. Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Anselm, bishop and doctor of the Church - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Acts 5:27-33 When the court officers had brought the Apostles inand made them stand before the Sanhedrin,the high priest questioned them,"We gave you strict orders did we not,to stop teaching in that name.Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teachingand want to bring this man's blood upon us."But Peter and the Apostles said in reply,"We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.God exalted him at his right hand as leader and saviorto grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.We are witnesses of these things,as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."When they heard this,they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death. Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20 R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.or:R. Alleluia.I will bless the LORD at all times;his praise shall be ever in my mouth.Taste and see how good the LORD is;blessed the man who takes refuge in him.R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.or:R. Alleluia.The LORD confronts the evildoers,to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,and from all their distress he rescues them.R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.or:R. Alleluia.The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.Many are the troubles of the just man,but out of them all the LORD delivers him.R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 20:29 R. Alleluia, alleluia.You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe!R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 3:31-36 The one who comes from above is above all.The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.But the one who comes from heaven is above all.He testifies to what he has seen and heard,but no one accepts his testimony.Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,but the wrath of God remains upon him. - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Acts 5:17-26 The high priest rose up and all his companions,that is, the party of the Sadducees,and, filled with jealousy,laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail.But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,led them out, and said,"Go and take your place in the temple area,and tell the people everything about this life."When they heard this,they went to the temple early in the morning and taught.When the high priest and his companions arrived,they convened the Sanhedrin,the full senate of the children of Israel,and sent to the jail to have them brought in.But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison,so they came back and reported,"We found the jail securely lockedand the guards stationed outside the doors,but when we opened them, we found no one inside."When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were at a loss about them,as to what this would come to.Then someone came in and reported to them,"The men whom you put in prison are in the temple areaand are teaching the people." Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them,but without force,because they were afraid of being stoned by the people. Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R.(7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.or:R. Alleluia.I will bless the LORD at all times;his praise shall be ever in my mouth.Let my soul glory in the LORD;the lowly will hear me and be glad.R.The Lord hears the cry of the poor.or:R. Alleluia.Glorify the LORD with me,let us together extol his name.I sought the LORD, and he answered meand delivered me from all my fears.R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.or:R. Alleluia.Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,and your faces may not blush with shame.When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,and from all his distress he saved him.R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.or:R. Alleluia.The angel of the LORD encampsaround those who fear him, and delivers them.Taste and see how good the LORD is;blessed the man who takes refuge in him.R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 3:16 R. Alleluia, alleluia.God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 3:16-21 God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.   - - -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.