Avemariacatholic

Theme of the Sunday: GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS FRIENDS AS LOVE.
The central theme of this Sunday comes first from the second reading. God is love and whoever loves is his child. The gospel continues this theme by reminding us of the one commandment given by the Master: a love that makes us brothers and sisters of each other and of his. The first reading is related to this: God has no favourites. He blesses all who practice justice.

FIRST READING
“The gift of the Holy Spirit has been poured out even on the Gentiles.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:25-26.34-35.44-48)

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” And Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can any one forbid water for baptising these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 98: I .2-3ab.3cd-4 (R. cf. 2)
R/. The Lord has shown his deliverance two the nations.
Or: Alleluia.

O sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation. R/.

The Lord has made known his salvation,
has shown his deliverance to the nations.
He has remembered his merciful love
and his truth for the house of Israel. R/.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song,
and sing out your praise. R/.

SECOND READING
“God is love.”
A reading from tire first Letter of Saint John (1 John 4:7- 10)

Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA John 14:23
Alleluia. If a man loves me, he will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 15:9- 17)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Theme of the Sunday: WHOEVER REMAINS IN ME WILL PRODUCE MUCH FRUIT.
We can produce the fruit of the Spirit if we remain with Christ. This is the main theme of the gospel today. The second reading draws our attention to another point. Our faith is manifested by works of love. These ensure that we possess the lite of God. The first reading tells us of Paul who, in spite of all difficulties, misunderstandings and suspicions, remained in union with Christ and with his disciples.

FIRST READING
“He declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:26-31)

In those days: When Saul had come to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists; but they were seeking to kill him. And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. So the Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 22:26b-27.28 and 30.31-32 (R. 26a)
R/. You are my praise, Lord, in the great assembly.
Or: Alleluia.

My vows I will pay before those who fear him.
The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.
They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him.
May their hearts live on forever and ever! R/.

All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord,
all families of the nations worship before him.
They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust. R/.

And my soul shall live for him, my descendants serve him.
They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come,
declare his saving justice to peoples yet unborn:
“These are the things the Lord has done.” R/.

SECOND READING
“This is his commandment, that we should believe. . . and love one an- other.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint John (1 John 3: 1b-24)

Little children, let us not love in word or speech but indeed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA John 15:4a.5b
Alleluia. Abide in me, and I in you, says the Lord; he who abides in me bears much fruit. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 15: 1-8)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burnt. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Theme of the Sunday: WHOEVER REMAINS IN ME WILL PRODUCE MUCH FRUIT.
We can produce the fruit of the Spirit if we remain with Christ. This is the main theme of the gospel today. The second reading draws our attention to another point. Our faith is manifested by works of love. These ensure that we possess the lite of God. The first reading tells us of Paul who, in spite of all difficulties, misunderstandings and suspicions, remained in union with Christ and with his disciples.

FIRST READING
“He declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:26-31)

In those days: When Saul had come to Jerusalem he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists; but they were seeking to kill him. And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. So the Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 22:26b-27.28 and 30.31-32 (R. 26a)
R/. You are my praise, Lord, in the great assembly.
Or: Alleluia.

My vows I will pay before those who fear him.
The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.
They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him.
May their hearts live on forever and ever! R/.

All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord,
all families of the nations worship before him.
They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust. R/.

And my soul shall live for him, my descendants serve him.
They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come,
declare his saving justice to peoples yet unborn:
“These are the things the Lord has done.” R/.

SECOND READING
“This is his commandment, that we should believe. . . and love one an- other.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint John (1 John 3: 1b-24)

Little children, let us not love in word or speech but indeed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA John 15:4a.5b
Alleluia. Abide in me, and I in you, says the Lord; he who abides in me bears much fruit. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 15: 1-8)

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burnt. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Theme of the Sunday: THE GOOD SHEPHERD IS ONE WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE.
Every year the Liturgy of the Fourth Sunday after Easter presents the theme of the “Good Shepherd.” The gospel considers the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. The second reading tells us of the gift of life God gives to all. The Christian should not be afraid to give his life. He knows that death cannot destroy the life that God has given him. On the contrary, it is necessary for the fullness of life to be revealed. The first reading is also linked to this theme, the central part of which describes what happened to Christ the “true shepherd.”

FIRST READING
“There is no other name by which we must be saved.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4: 8-12)

In those days: Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 118: 1 and 5-9.21-23.26 and 28-29 (R. 22)
R/. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Or: Alleluia.

Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man;
it is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes. R/.

I will thank you, for you have answered,
and you are my saviour.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done,
a marvel in our eyes. R/.

Blest is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
You are my God, I praise you.
My God, I exalt you.
Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever. R/.

SECOND READING
“We shall see God as he is.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint John (1 John 3: 1-2)

Beloved: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA John 10:14
Alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own, and my own know me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 10:11-18)

At that time: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Theme of the Sunday: THE GOOD SHEPHERD IS ONE WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE.
Every year the Liturgy of the Fourth Sunday after Easter presents the theme of the “Good Shepherd.” The gospel considers the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. The second reading tells us of the gift of life God gives to all. The Christian should not be afraid to give his life. He knows that death cannot destroy the life that God has given him. On the contrary, it is necessary for the fullness of life to be revealed. The first reading is also linked to this theme, the central part of which describes what happened to Christ the “true shepherd.”

FIRST READING
“There is no other name by which we must be saved.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4: 8-12)

In those days: Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 118: 1 and 5-9.21-23.26 and 28-29 (R. 22)
R/. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Or: Alleluia.

Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man;
it is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes. R/.

I will thank you, for you have answered,
and you are my saviour.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done,
a marvel in our eyes. R/.

Blest is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
You are my God, I praise you.
My God, I exalt you.
Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever. R/.

SECOND READING
“We shall see God as he is.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint John (1 John 3: 1-2)

Beloved: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA John 10:14
Alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own, and my own know me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 10:11-18)

At that time: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Sunday April 14, 2024 3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER / MOTHERS DAY CELEBRATION

Title : 7th April 2024, Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)

Theme: Proper , Te Deum Mass prop. Gloria, no Creed, Preface of Easter I

FIRST READING
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2: 14.22-33)

[On the day of Pentecost,] Peter, standing with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. “Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know — this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 16: 1-2a and 5.7-8.9-10.11 (R. 1)
R/. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Or: Alleluia.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord.”
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
you yourself who secure my lot. R/.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord before me always;
with him at my right hand, I shall not be moved. R/.

R/. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
Or: Alleluia.

And so, my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my flesh shall rest in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to hell,
nor let your holy one see corruption. R/.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand, bliss forever. R/.

ALLELUIA Psalm 118:24
Alleluia. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 28:8 -15)

At that time: The women departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Hail!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep and if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Sunday March 31, 2024 EASTER SUNDAY (SOLEMNITY)

Theme: The Resurrection of the Lord Office: Proper, Te Deum

FIRST READING
“We ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:34a.37-43)

In those days: Peter opened his mouth and said, “You know the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 118: I-2.15c- 17.22-23 (R. 24)
R/. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Or: Alleluia.

Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.” R/.

“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds;
his right hand is exalted.
The Lord’s right hand has done mighty deeds.”
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount the deeds of the Lord. R/.

R/. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.

SECOND READING
“Seek the things that are above, where Christ is.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 3:1-4)

Brethren: If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The word of the Lord.

Or the following:

SECOND READING
“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be new dough.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:6b-8)

Do you not know that a little leaven leavens all the dough? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be new dough, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Paschal Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

The word of the Lord.

GOSPEL
“He must rise from the dead.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 20:1-9)

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went towards the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Title: Sunday March 31, 2024 EASTER SUNDAY (SOLEMNITY) Theme: The Resurrection of the Lord Office: Proper, Te Deum FIRST READING “We ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:34a.37-43)

Theme: The celebration of the Lord’s passion takes place about three o’clock, unless pastoral reasons suggest a later hour. The celebration consists of three parts, namely Liturgy of the Word, the Adoration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion is a day of penance for the whole Church, to be marked by fasting and abstinence from meat. No mass is celebrated that day.

FIRST READING
“He was wounded for our transgressions.” Fourth song of the Servant of the Lord
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 52: 13-53: 12)

Behold, my servant shall prosper, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. As many were astonished at him his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men — so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand. Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgement he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand; he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 31:2 and 6.12-13.15- 16.17 and 25 (R. Lk 23:46b)
R/. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!

In you, O Lord, I take refuge.
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God. R/.

Because of all my foes
I have become a reproach,
an object of scorn to my neighbours
and of fear to my friends.
Those who see me in the street flee from me.
I am forgotten, like someone dead,
and have become like a broken vessel. R/.

R/. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!

But as for me, I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.
My lot is in your hands, deliver me
from the hands of my enemies and
those who pursue me.” R/.

“Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your merciful love.”
Be strong, let your heart take courage,
all who hope in the Lord. R/.

SECOND READING
“He learned obedience and became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5 :7-9)

Brethren: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.

The word of the Lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Philippians 2:8b.9
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.