FIRST
READING: Acts
1: 15 - 17, 20 - 26
15
In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said:
(now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty:)
16
Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy
Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was
the leader of them that apprehended Jesus:
17
Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
20
For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become
desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric
let another take.
21
Wherefore of these men who have companied with us all the time that
the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,
22
Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was
taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his
resurrection.
23
And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed
Justus, and Matthias.
24
And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all
men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25
To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas
hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.
26
And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was
numbered with the eleven apostles.
PSALM:
Psalms 113:
1 - 8
1
Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.
2
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.
3
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name
of the Lord is worthy of praise.
4
The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens.
5
Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high:
6
And looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?
7
Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of
the dunghill:
8
That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people.
GOSPEL:
John 15:
9 - 17
9
As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love.
10
If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also
have kept my Father's commandments, and do abide in his love.
11
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and
your joy may be filled.
12
This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved
you.
13
Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.
14
You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you.
15
I will not now call you servants: for the servant knoweth not what
his lord doth. But I have called you friends: because all things
whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you.
16
You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed
you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit
should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my
name, he may give it you.
17
These things I command you, that you love one another.