FIRST READING:
Acts 20: 28 - 38
28
Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy
Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he
obtained with the blood of his own Son.
29
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you,
not sparing the flock;
30
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse
things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease
night or day to admonish every one with tears.
32
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is
able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those
who are sanctified.
33
I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
34You
yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to
those who were with me.
35
In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the
weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, `It is
more blessed to give than to receive.'"
36
And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37
And they all wept and embraced Paul and kissed him,
38
sorrowing most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they
should see his face no more. And they brought him to the ship.
PSALM:
Psalms 68: 29 - 30, 33 - 36
29
Because of thy temple at Jerusalem kings bear gifts to thee.
30
Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with
the calves of the peoples. Trample under foot those who lust after
tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.
33
to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; lo, he sends
forth his voice, his mighty voice.
34
Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and his power is
in the skies.
35
Terrible is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel, he gives power
and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
GOSPEL: John
17: 11 - 19
11
And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I
am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou
hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
12
While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given
me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of
perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13
But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world,
that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14
I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them because they
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15
I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that
thou shouldst keep them from the evil one.
16
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17
Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth.
18
As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the
world.
19
And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be
consecrated in truth.