Readings for the Optional Memorial of John of Avila, Priest and Doctor of the ChurchReading 1 Acts 15:1-6 Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,"Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,you cannot be saved."Because there arose no little dissension and debateby Paul and Barnabas with them,it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the othersshould go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbytersabout this question. They were sent on their journey by the Church,and passed through Phoenicia and Samariatelling of the conversion of the Gentiles,and brought great joy to all the brethren.When they arrived in Jerusalem,they were welcomed by the Church,as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters,and they reported what God had done with them.But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believersstood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise themand direct them to observe the Mosaic law."The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter. Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 R.(see 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.I rejoiced because they said to me,"We will go up to the house of the LORD."And now we have set footwithin your gates, O Jerusalem.R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.Jerusalem, built as a citywith compact unity.To it the tribes go up,the tribes of the LORD.R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia.According to the decree for Israel,to give thanks to the name of the LORD.In it are set up judgment seats,seats for the house of David.R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 15:4a, 5b R. Alleluia, alleluia.Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 15:1-8 Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."   Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Damien Joseph de Veuster of Moloka’i, priest - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reading 1 Acts 14:19-28 In those days, some Jews from Antioch and Iconiumarrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,supposing that he was dead.But when the disciples gathered around him,he got up and entered the city. On the following day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.After they had proclaimed the good news to that cityand made a considerable number of disciples,they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.They strengthened the spirits of the disciplesand exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,"It is necessary for us to undergo many hardshipsto enter the Kingdom of God."They appointed presbyters for them in each Church and,with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lordin whom they had put their faith.Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.From there they sailed to Antioch,where they had been commended to the grace of Godfor the work they had now accomplished. And when they arrived, they called the Church togetherand reported what God had done with themand how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.Then they spent no little time with the disciples. Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21 R.(see 12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.or:R. Alleluia.Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,and let your faithful ones bless you.Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdomand speak of your might.R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.or:R. Alleluia.Making known to men your mightand the glorious splendor of your kingdom.Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,and your dominion endures through all generations.R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.or:R. Alleluia.May my mouth speak the praise of the LORD,and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia See Lk 24:46, 26 R. Alleluia, alleluia.Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,and so enter into his glory.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 14:27-31a Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, 'I am going away and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."       - - -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 14:5-18 There was an attempt in Iconiumby both the Gentiles and the Jews,together with their leaders,to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.They realized it,and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbeand to the surrounding countryside,where they continued to proclaim the Good News.At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth,who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him,saw that he had the faith to be healed,and called out in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet."He jumped up and began to walk about.When the crowds saw what Paul had done,they cried out in Lycaonian,"The gods have come down to us in human form." They called Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes,"because he was the chief speaker.And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,brought oxen and garlands to the gates,for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garmentswhen they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,"Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good newsthat you should turn from these idols to the living God,who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways;yet, in bestowing his goodness,he did not leave himself without witness,for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts."Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowdsfrom offering sacrifice to them. Responsorial Psalm Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16 R.(1ab) Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.or:R. Alleluia.Not to us, O LORD, not to usbut to your name give glorybecause of your mercy, because of your truth.Why should the pagans say,"Where is their God?"R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.or:R. Alleluia.Our God is in heaven;whatever he wills, he does.Their idols are silver and gold,the handiwork of men.R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.or:R. Alleluia.May you be blessed by the LORD,who made heaven and earth.Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,but the earth he has given to the children of men.R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.or:R. Alleluia. Alleluia Jn 14:26 R. Alleluia, alleluia.The Holy Spirit will teach you everythingand remind you of all I told you.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 14:21-26 Jesus said to his disciples: ""Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him."" Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, ""Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?"" Jesus answered and said to him, ""Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. ""I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name-- he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.""   - - -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 6:1-7 As the number of disciples continued to grow,the Hellenists complained against the Hebrewsbecause their widowswere 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 prayerand 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 apostleswho 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 Ps 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 deathand preserve them in spite of famine.R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.or:R. Alleluia. Reading 2 1 Pt 2:4-9 Beloved:Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beingsbut chosen and precious in the sight of God,and, like living stones,let yourselves be built into a spiritual houseto be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrificesacceptable to God through Jesus Christ.For it says in Scripture:Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion,a cornerstone, chosen and precious,and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:The stone that the builders rejectedhas become the cornerstone, andA stone that will make people stumble,and a rock that will make them fall.They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.You are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood,a holy nation, a people of his own,so that you may announce the praises" of himwho called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Alleluia Jn 14:6 R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;no one comes to the Father, except through me.R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Jn 14:1-12 Jesus said to his disciples:"Do not let your hearts be troubled.You have faith in God; have faith also in me.In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.If there were not,would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you,I will come back again and take you to myself,so that where I am you also may be.Where I am going you know the way."Thomas said to him,"Master, we do not know where you are going;how can we know the way?"Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life.No one comes to the Father except through me.If you know me, then you will also know my Father.From now on you do know him and have seen him."Philip said to him,"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a timeand you still do not know me, Philip?Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,or else, believe because of the works themselves.Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,and will do greater ones than these,because I am going to the Father." - - -Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.