FIRST
READING:
1 John 5:
14 - 21
14
And this is the confidence which we have towards him: That,
whatsoever we shall ask according to his will, he heareth us.
15
And we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask: we know that we
have the petitions which we request of him.
16
He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let
him ask, and life shall be given to him, who sinneth not to death.
There is a sin unto death: for that I say not that any man ask.
17
All iniquity is sin. And there is a sin unto death.
18
We know that whosoever is born of God, sinneth not: but the
generation of God preserveth him, and the wicked one toucheth him
not.
19
We know that we are of God, and the whole world is seated in
wickedness.
20
And we know that the Son of God is come: and he hath given us
understanding that we may know the true God, and may be in his true
Son. This is the true God and life eternal.
21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
PSALM:
Psalms 149:
1 - 6, 9
1
Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let his praise be in the church
of the saints.
2
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: and let the children of Sion
be joyful in their king.
3
Let them praise his name in choir: let them sing to him with the
timbrel and the psaltery.
4
For the Lord is well pleased with his people: and he will exalt the
meek unto salvation.
5
The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their
beds.
6
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth: and two-edged swords
in their hands:
9
To execute upon them the judgment that is written: this glory is to
all his saints. Alleluia.
ALLELUIA:
Matthew 4:
16
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
The
people that sat in darkness, hath seen great light,
and
to them that sat in the region of the shadow of death,
light
is sprung up.
R.
Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL:
John 3:
22 - 30
22
After these things Jesus and his disciples came into the land of
Judea: and there he abode with them, and baptized.
23
And John also was baptizing in Ennon near Salim; because there was
much water there; and they came and were baptized.
24
For John was not yet cast into prison.
25
And there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the
Jews concerning purification:
26
And they came to John, and said to him: Rabbi, he that was with thee
beyond the Jordan, to whom thou gavest testimony, behold he
baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27
John answered, and said: A man cannot receive any thing, unless it be
given him from heaven.
28
You yourselves do bear me witness, that I said, I am not Christ, but
that I am sent before him.
29
He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the
bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with joy because
of the bridegroom's voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
