1st Reading: Acts 6:1-7 Selection and ordination of the church’s first deacons Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It…

1st Reading: Acts 5:34-42 Gamaliel prudently advises his colleagues against condemning Jesus’ followers But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. Then he said to them, “Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what…

St John Baptist de la Salle, optional memorial 1st Reading: Acts 5:27-33 What Peter and the apostles told the Jewish council When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled…

1st Reading: Acts 5:17-26 The Temple police arrest the apostles, but without violence Then the high priest took action; he and all who were with him (that is, the sect of the Sadducees), being filled with jealousy, arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the…

1st Reading: Acts 4:32-37 The sharing spirit among the early Christians Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the…

(Normally celebrated on 25th March, which was Good Friday this year) 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 King Ahaz refuses to ask a sign of the Lord; Isaiah promises a child to be called Immanuel Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or…

1st Reading: Acts 4:13-21 Risking their lives, Peter and John tell about what they have seen and heard Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been…

1st Reading: Acts 4:1-12 Peter’s belief that there is salvation in no one else but Jesus While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection…

1st Reading: Acts 3:11-26 Peter describes Jesus as holy and righteous, the One who is victorious over death While the cured man clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished. When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you…

1st Reading: Acts 3:1-10 Calling on Jesus’ name, Peter cures the lame man at the temple gate One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o”clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at…

1st Reading: Acts 2:36-41 Peter calls those who crucified Jesus to repent and be saved [In his Pentecost sermon, Peter said to the crowd], “Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were…

1st Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Peter announces the dawning of a new age, with the resurrection of Jesus But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. “You that are Israelites,…

Here are two reflections for this sombre, solemn day. Evocative signs This is our Passover, the night of nights and the feast of feasts. Let us celebrate and rejoice, therefore! To let our feelings catch up with our convictions, on this holy night we use fire and darkness and water, readings and songs to mark…

1st Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 The humiliations of the suffering servant, who carried the burden of the sins of his people See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. Just as there were many who were astonished at him-so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and…

1st Reading: Exodus 12:1-2, 11-14 Israel’s departure from Egypt, and how this is to be celebrated for all time Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months….

1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9 The Suffering Servant trusts in God for rescue The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens, wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened…

1st Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6 The life of God’s servant seems a failure, but it bears great fruit Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword,…

Mary of Bethany’s impulsive, loving gesture done for Jesus is so inspirational that it makes us wonder why more has not been made of it in the Church, to honour the prophetic power of women disciples… Today it is tole in memory of her. 1st Reading: Isaiah 42:1-7 My servant, whom I uphold, my chosen,…