Tag: Psalm 33

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Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus' hand

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Isaiah 53:10-11
Responsorial: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
Reading 2: Hebrews 4:14-16
Gospel: Mark 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101721.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal and together we’re going to break open the Word!

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I came to serve, not to be served” (Mark 10:45). What a powerful line – a powerful theme – that’s at the heart of what it means to be a Christian disciple – service. It’s also at the center of so many our vocation stories. I’d like to share a little bit of my story with you.

When I was in high school, I wanted to be an attorney. I wanted to earn my first million by the time I turned twenty-one! And then of course that movie came out. You know, the one with Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson – A Few Good Men. Who didn’t want to be the suave debonair attorney in a courtroom saying, “I want the truth!”

Man, did I have a plan!

One day, there was an event going on at school and an event going on at the parish. So, my dad let me take the other car and go to school first and then come to the church when it was finished. I remember walking into the parish hall, and some adult I didn’t know saw me. He jumped out of his chair and rushed over to me. He said, “You must be our new seminarian.” In my heart of hearts I said, “good one, Lord, but I’ve got plans.”

Things like that kept happening to me – too many to share today. I even had a series of conversations with the director of campus ministry, a priest, about my call. Ultimately, I told him that I believed I was being called to married life. I thought that was that! Man was I wrong!

The next year I met this beautiful girl. A few years later, we married. And a few years later, we started a family. But we both kept feeling this call to serve. So, we served in a variety of ways – as a couple, as a family, as individuals. But for me, something was missing.

So, I kicked it up a notch. I became an acolyte much like our CALM up here. One year, I was coordinating the altar servers. The diocese had a workshop for altar servers in Belton. So, some parents and I took a group of altar servers to Belton. While I was there, I ran into an old college buddy who I hadn’t seen in years. He saw me, threw his arms in the air and he bounded up to me and said, “Father, Rudy!” In my heart of hearts, I said, “Well played, Lord, well played.”

I felt God was trying to send me a message. I felt I was being invited to be a deacon. So, I went home and I talked with my wife. After some discussion, prayer and some tears, we decided to speak with Father. And then we decided to attend an inquiry session. An inquiry session is an opportunity to learn more about the diaconate, to learn about the application process, and to learn about the formation process. And the rest is history.

What about you? Does any of that sound familiar to you? When you hear Jesus say, “I came to serve,” does something in your heart stir? Have you ever considered serving God as a priest, a deacon or a consecrated religious brother or sister?

You might be thinking, “Hold on now, Deacon! Don’t ask me that question! I can’t serve! Jesus doesn’t want a person like me!”

I get it! I used to think that way and to be honest, sometimes I doubt my call. I remember saying to Jesus, “You don’t want me! I’m a dreamer! I’m a big picture guy! I’m not the best or the brightest or the most organized. I don’t like the straight path! I like to meander my way through the woods and take my time. You don’t want me, Lord.”

God addressed my concern on the radio, believe or not! I remember listening to KLOVE, and someone rattled off a list of people in Scripture who have problems, yet God was able to work through them. Now, I don’t remember the whole list, but it went something like this. Isaac, one of the patriarchs was blind. Jacob who led his family to Canaan, walked with a limp after wrestling with the angel Lord. Rahab, that important spy who helped the people capture Jericho, was a prostitute. Moses spoke with a stutter. Peter denied Jesus three times. James and John in today’s Gospel asked Jesus, “What’s in it for us?” And Paul stood by and watched as Stephen, one of the first deacons of the church, was stoned to death.

God said to all of them, Despite all your problems and faults, I can work with you. He said to me, Rudy, despite all your problems and faults, I can work with you. And he says to each and every one of you, I can most assuredly work with you.

Okay, next question. Why does Jesus need me? Aren’t there enough priests, and deacons and religious brothers and sisters in this world? And the short answer is no.

But the need in our own parish is great!

There are retired people in our parish who think to themselves, “This isn’t what I had in mind for retirement.” Maybe their independence is threatened because their bodies aren’t cooperating or the money they saved for retirement is running out too fast.

Do you know, there are grandparents whose adult children are so busy trying to meet the challenges of life that they can’t bring their own kids to faith formation classes? So, the grandparents who believe it’s important for their grandchildren to be grounded in the faith bring their grandkids to faith formation classes.

There are single parents who struggle like so many people living paycheck to paycheck. The come to mass, and they feel completely alone.

I was reminded last night that there are also people in our community who are hurting over the loss of their spouse or a close family member. And they’re trying to figure out what’s their role in life now that their children have grown up and left the house.

The need is great right here, right now. None of those people want the Church to solve their problems them. But they need us to be here in ministry – to walk with them on their journey of faith. They need you right here, right now. Will you answer the call?

Ladies, next Wednesday, Project Miriam is hosting a dinner at St. William for young, single ladies who would like to know more about becoming a religious sister. Just go on to the Diocese of Austin’s vocations website to RSVP.

To the single men of our community, the diocese is hosting a dinner next Thursday at the Cathedral for men considering the priesthood. Just go on to the diocese’s vocations page to RSVP or talk with Father.

Gentlemen, if you’ve between the ages of 30 to 59 and wondered whether Jesus is calling you to be a deacon, then I have really good news for you! The diocese will begin hosting inquiry sessions at various locations beginning this November and running through next Spring. An inquiry session is where you can learn more about what it means to be a deacon, the application process, and the formation process. I encourage you to check it out. Talk to Father. Talk to me. Talk to any one of my brother deacons or our wives. We’d love to listen to how God is calling you and we’d love to share some more of our vocations stories with you.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites you to a life of service. What are you waiting for?

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following question.

Jesus said he came to serve, not to be served. Ask yourself, “How am I answering Jesus’ invitation to serve?”

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May each of us come to know the grace and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word! Peace!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

References:
1. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Christ as truly man: 467-70
2. Jesus’ temptations: 538-40
3. Jesus’ sacrifice: 599-618, 1225
4. Jesus’ sinlessness: 612
5. Christ the high priest: 662, 1137, 1544-45
6. Authority as service: 876, 2235
7. Jesus’ sympathy for us: 2602
8. Confidence before God: 2777-8

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101721.cfm
Lectionary: 146

Reading 1
Isaiah 53:10-11
The LORD was pleased
to crush him in infirmity.

If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness
of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.

Responsorial
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Reading 2
Hebrews 4:14-16
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Alleluia
Mark 10:45
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 10:35-45 or 10:42-45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him,
“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?”
They answered him, “Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”
Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
They said to him, “We can.”
Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

OR:

Jesus summoned the twelve and said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Trinity Sunday

trinity symbol

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The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Mass Readings

Reading 1: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
Responsorial: Psalm 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22
Reading 2: Romans 8:14-17
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/053021.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

What exactly is the Trinity and what does it have to do with me?

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word!

The Trinity is the whole of Christian doctrine. In the creed we recite during the Mass, we say everything in terms of the Trinity. “In fact, the whole creed is a statement of belief in the Trinity.” <1> We say, “We believe in one God, the Father who…” and then follows the doctrines of creation and providence; and “in the Son who…” then comes the doctrines of the incarnation, redemption and resurrection; and “in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who…” and finally come the doctrines of Scripture, tradition, the church and the end times. <2>

The Trinity is the ultimate example of agape love. That means total self-gift, total, unselfish reception, and a reciprocating total, self-gift. That’s why we often hold up the Trinity as an image for married couples. There’s so much we could unpack as we try to understand the Trinity. But holy Mother Church gave us the closing lines of the Matthew’s Gospel account to consider. So, let’s discuss Trinity through that lens.

In our Gospel this weekend from Matthew, Jesus affirms our belief in the Trinity. In the Great Commission, Jesus tells them to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This is the very heart of evangelization. Evangelization is sharing the Good News of Salvation in Jesus Christ. Evangelization is rooted in our belief in Trinity. The willingness to share the Good News – to evangelize – is an expression of our love as we try to imitate the selfless love of the Trinity.

That’s partly why we have the first two readings this weekend. The first reading from Deuteronomy refers to the Exodus. In our second reading from Romans, Paul sees salvation in Jesus Christ as the new Exodus. So, Jesus calls on the church to preach this new Exodus – the Good News.

Jesus gave this message to the eleven (Matthew 28:16). Now, “the eleven” of course refers to the apostles. We are an apostolic church which means that we believe our bishops today are the living apostles – that leadership has been handed down through a succession process from the first apostles to the present day. But can the apostles evangelize the world all by themselves?

Of course not! As the early church developed, we see the rise of priests and deacons. We see the formation of consecrated religious communities of men and women. And throughout history, we also see examples lay faithful evangelists.

Our church teaches us that by virtue of our baptism we all are obligated to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone we encounter, beginning with those closest to us. In my personal experience, this is easier said than done.

For example, growing up, I wasn’t taught how to share my faith – what words to use to share my faith or how to defend the faith. I was raised in a time when we delegated the role of evangelist to the clergy and the consecrated religious. The rest of us were expected to absorb what we needed from the Mass perhaps through some holy osmosis because rarely in the Mass was my role as a disciple addressed.

This passive approach to evangelization is not what Jesus proclaimed in the Gospel. Jesus didn’t say, “if you’d like, you could go and baptize…” or “if it’s not too much trouble, would you go and baptize…” or “I hate to ask, but could you go and baptize.” No! Jesus said “Go” (Matthew 28:19).

How do we correct this problem today?

Our Protestant brothers and sisters spend a lot of time, especially during their youth, learning how to share their faith. Through various activities, they learn the words to use and how to use them. Now, we can’t take a trip on the way back machine and correct the past. But we can learn from the experiences of our Protestant brothers and sisters – from their successes and their setbacks.

We can and should help our clergy and our parishes explore new and innovative programs and strategies designed to help Catholic communities share their faith. It doesn’t matter whether you are eight or eighty. At every stage in life, we can share our faith. How we do that will change of course based on the stage of life we’re in and our experiences.

The Good News of Jesus is liberating and life-giving. This world which seems increasingly focused on the self above all else needs to hear the liberating message of the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Homework! Nourished by the Trinity through Word and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, how can I support my clergy and my parish to learn more about evangelization training programs?
Second, how do I share the Good News with my family and friends?

I think doing our homework will help us as disciples honor Jesus’s instruction to go out into world! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Trinity symbol. Artist unknown. JPG.

Notes:
<1> Michael Himes, Chapter One Trinity. Kindle.
<2> Ibid.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Hahn, Scott W. and Curtis Mitch. Romans. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017. Kindle.
2. Himes, Michael. The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004. Kindle.
3. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The mystery of the Trinity: 202, 232-60, 684, 732
2. The Trinity in the Church and her liturgy: 249, 813, 950, 1077-1109, 2845
3. Grace of divine sonship: 257, 1996-97
4. Divine sonship in the Old Testament: 441
5. The Church as missionary: 767-68, 849-56
6. Gifts and fruits of the Spirit: 1830-32
7. The family as an image of the Trinity: 2205
8. The Trinity and prayer: 2655, 2664
9. Prayer to God as Father: 2777-82

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/053021.cfm
Lectionary: 165

Reading 1
Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40
Moses said to the people: “Ask now of the days of old, before your time, ever since God created man upon the earth; ask from one end of the sky to the other: Did anything so great ever happen before? Was it ever heard of? Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live? Or did any god venture to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, with strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors, all of which the LORD, your God, did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? This is why you must now know, and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and that there is no other. You must keep his statutes and commandments that I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.”

Responsorial
Psalm 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22
R. (12b) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. For he spoke, and it was made; he commanded, and it stood forth.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield. May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Reading 2
Romans 8:14-17
Brothers and sisters: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Alleluia
Revelation 1:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

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Mother’s Day 2020

Mom with three children

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Fifth Sunday of Easter Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 6:1-7
Responsorial: Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Gospel: John 14:1-12

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051020.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Peace be with you on this fifth Sunday of Easter, and a great big shout out to moms everywhere on this Mother’s Day! Even if today is not Mother’s Day in your culture, I think we can all agree that we don’t need a special occasion to lift up mothers everywhere both our own mothers and the mothers of our children!

I think so much about our world today is geared toward the individual. As Mycroft says in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, “he’s all me, me, me, isn’t he?”

But moms are different, aren’t they? A mom opens her heart and her life to her children – doesn’t matter whether they are natural or adopted. It’s the ideal image of service that we see described in our first reading from Acts. I know that reading is the first evidence of deacons in the early church, but what better role models for the clergy than the moms in our lives?

And it doesn’t matter whether she works and travels all the time or is a stay-at-home-mom, whether it’s an extravagant manor or a simple tent on the side of the road, moms put their hearts into creating a home. Moms create a space for us to live and to work. In fact, a home becomes such a comfortable place for many of us. In a way, it’s easy to relate the work our moms do to make a home to what Jesus says, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places,” (John 14:2).

That feeling we have when we walk through the door of our home – whether our current home or our childhood home – is joy. It’s not really an emotion. It’s just for want of a better term that feeling deep within us that means we are totally comfortable, totally at peace. It’s easy to associate our moms with the living stones we hear about in the second reading today from First Peter. It’s their presence that makes the house a home.

What does it mean to live with the Father? Thomas asks Jesus in today’s Gospel, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” (John 14:5) I don’t think it’s hard to blame Thomas for asking Jesus this question. For many of us, trying to wrap our minds around what heaven will be like is difficult.

But I think that feeling we have when go home – that feeling of welcome and comfort – might be like what heaven feels like. And of course, that makes sense, doesn’t it? If God is love, then that all encompassing feeling of love that our moms wrap around us is God.

Our moms work doesn’t end there. How many moms pray their children home? Look at St. Augustine? He was quite the playboy. But his mother, St. Monica, constantly prayed for his conversion. It probably didn’t happen as quickly as she would have liked, but in the end, Augustine converted and eventually became one of the most important leaders in the history of the Christian faith.

That’s what mom’s do, isn’t it? More often than not in too many households, it is mom who keeps the faith. And like Mary our spiritual mother, it is mom who leads us to Jesus Christ. That’s important because Jesus says, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6). Moms are the backbone of our faith leading us to Jesus who in turn leads us to the Father.

We have so much to be thankful for in all the moms around us. We may never fully appreciate the great blessing of God for a creating both men and women – equal in dignity, but with complementary natures. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. May God bless moms everywhere, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Homework! Having been nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and an Act of Spiritual Communion, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. Do not let your hearts be troubled. How can I be force for calm and peace in a world changed by COVID-19?
  2. There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Where do I feel the presence of God most strongly? Where do I pray most often?
  3. I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father other than through me. Do I help lead others to God through my words and actions in all my interactions – in speech, writing, and on social media?

I think doing our homework will help us refocus our lives of discipleship as we emerge from sheltering in place. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Art for this post: PUBLIC DOMAIN. Migrant Mother 02 by Dorothea Lange, 1936. This image is a work of an employee of the United States Farm Security Administration or Office of War Information domestic photographic units, taken as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain in the United States. Original caption: “Destitute peapickers in California; a 32-year-old mother of seven children. February 1936.”

References:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
2. Keating, Daniel. First and Second Peter, Jude. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
3. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
4. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
5. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Christ the mediator and fullness, 65-66, 846
2. Believing in Jesus, 151, 1698, 2614, 2466
3. Jesus’ mysteries, 516
4. The Church as a spiritual temple, 756, 1179
5. The Church as the people of God, 781-86
6. A chosen race, a royal priesthood, 782, 803, 1141, 1174, 1269, 1322
7. Heaven, 1025-27
8. Common priesthood of the faithful, 1141, 1268, 1546
9. Deacons, 1554, 1569-71
10. Jesus teaches us how to pray, 2614, 2746-51, 2825

Fifth Sunday of Easter
Mass readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051020.cfm
Lectionary: 52

First Reading
ACTS 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word.”
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Responsorial
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading
1 PT 2:4-9
Beloved:
Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings
but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
and, like living stones,
let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it says in Scripture:
Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone, chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.
Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,
and
A stone that will make people stumble,
and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.

You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises” of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Alleluia verse
John 14:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.”