Tag: USCCB Daily Readings

Wednesday of The 5th Week of Easter, 13 May 2020 – John 15:1-8, Acts 15:1-6, Psalm 122 ~ “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Wednesday of The 5th Week of Easter, 13 May 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Lord God, you love innocence of heart, and when it is lost you alone can restore it. Turn then our hearts to you, and kindle in them the fire of your Spirit, so that we may be steadfast in faith and unwearied in good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:1-8 (NLT)

Jesus, the True Vine

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Christ Be All Around Me – All Sons & Daughters

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 15:1-6 (NLT)

The Council at Jerusalem

While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them—much to everyone’s joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being converted.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.”
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Responsorial Psalm 122 (NLT)

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

And now here we are,
standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is a well-built city;
its seamless walls cannot be breached.

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—
make their pilgrimage here.
They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,
as the law requires of Israel.

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,
the thrones of the dynasty of David.
Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
and prosperity in your palaces.
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,
“May you have peace.”

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
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Psalm 122 (Let Us Go Rejoicing) – Michael Joncas

Closing: John 15:5 (NLT)

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tuesday of The 5th Week of Easter, 12 May 2020 – John 14:27-31, Acts 14:19-28, Psalm 145 ~ peace of mind and heart

Tuesday of The 5th Week of Easter, 12 May 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Lord our God, in the resurrection of Christ you create us anew for eternal life. Grant your people firmness in faith and constancy in hope: let us never doubt that you will fulfill what we know you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:27-31 (NLT)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 14:19-28 (NLT)

Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch of Syria

After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.

Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.
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Responsorial Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 21 (NLT)

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

I will praise the Lord,
and may everyone on earth bless his holy name
forever and ever.
I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever.

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

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Psalm 145  – Dustin Kensrue (Mars Hill Music)

Closing: John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday of The 5th Week of Easter, 11 May 2020 – John 14:21-26, Acts 14:5-18, Psalm 115 ~ “All who love me will do what I say.”

Monday of The 5th Week of Easter, 11 May 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Lord, by your grace we are made one in mind and heart. Give us a love for what you command and a longing for what you promise, so that, amid this world’s changes, our hearts may be set on the world of lasting joy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. men.

All who love me will be loved by my Father,
and I shall love them and show myself to them.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:21-26 (NLT)

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them.
And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 14:5-18 (NLT)

Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. And there they preached the Good News.

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe

While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them.
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Responsorial Psalm 115 (NLT)

+ Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Why let the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands.
They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see.
And those who make idols are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.

+ Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

O Israel, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.
All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.
The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
He will bless those who fear the Lord,
both great and lowly.

+ Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
The heavens belong to the Lord,
but he has given the earth to all humanity.
Praise the Lord both now and forever!

+ Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
__________

Psalm 115 (Not to Us) – Aaron Keyes

Closing: John 14:23

“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Fifth Sunday of Easter, 10 May 2020 – John 14:1-12, Psalm 33, 1 Peter 2:4-9 ~ “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

The Fifth Sunday of Easter, 10 May 2020 

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

We have beheld your glory, O God, in the face of Christ Jesus, your Son.
Enliven our faith, that through Christ we may put our trust in you.
Deepen our faith, that in Christ we may serve you.
Complete our faith, that one day we may live with you
in that place which Christ prepares for us,
where he lives with you now and always
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen
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Come Ye Disconsolate – Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway

Come, ye disconsolate, wherever ye languish,
Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish;
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying,
“Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot cure.”

I said, earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot cure.
__________

A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:1-12 (NLT)

Jesus, the Way to the Father

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.
__________

Psalm 33 (Rejoice In The LORD O You Righteous) – Karl Kohlhase

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Prayers of Intercession:

Heavenly Father: You watch over those who fear you, those who rely on your unfailing love. Our hope is in you, Lord, hear our prayers –

+ for those whose hearts are troubled, that they may find their comfort in you….
+ for believers everywhere, that we may grow in our trust and awareness of your presence with us….
+ for those suffering the effects of this pandemic, that they may experience your calming closeness….
+ for those who are caring for the sick, that they may be protected from danger….

Heavenly Father: You watch over those who fear you, those who rely on your unfailing love. Our hope is in you, Lord, hear our prayers –

+ for joy-filled hearts that express your goodness and unfailing love….
+ for unwavering trust in the truth of your word, and your justice in all you do….
+ for awe at the wonder of your creation, spoken into being by your powerful word….
+ for confidence in your sovereignty, frustrating nations that reject you and blessing nations that revere you….

Heavenly Father: You watch over those who fear you, those who rely on your unfailing love. Help us to shine your light in the darkness, that all may see your goodness through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
__________

Goodness Of God – Bethel Music

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A Reading from the Epistles: 1 Peter 2:4-9 (NLT)

Living Stones for God’s House

You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. A s the Scriptures say,

“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,

“The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.”

“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
_________

We Will Feast in the House of Zion – Sandra McCracken

___________

Closing: John 14:2-3 (NLT)

“I am going to prepare a place for you.
When everything is ready, I will come and get you,
so that you will always be with me where I am.”
__________

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday of The 4th Week of Easter, 09 May 2020 – John 14:7-14, Acts 13:44-52, Psalm 98 ~ I am in the Father and the Father is in me

Saturday of The 4th Week of Easter, 09 May 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Almighty God, Giver of abundant and everlasting Life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:7-14 (NLT)

If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 13:44-52 (NLT)

Paul Turns to the Gentiles

The following week almost the entire city turned out to hear them preach the word of the Lord. But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. For the Lord gave us this command when he said,

‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’”

When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. So the Lord’s message spread throughout that region.

Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium. And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
__________

Responsorial Psalm 98:1-4

+ Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.

His right hand has won a mighty victory;
his holy arm has shown his saving power!

+ Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.

The Lord has announced his victory
and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!

+ Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.

He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

+ Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break out in praise and sing for joy!
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Psalm 98 (Sing Unto the Lord) – Shane and Shane

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Closing: John 8:31-32 (NLT)

“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.