Saturday in the 7th Week of Easter
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty. But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation. This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains.” He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 11:4, 5 and 7 (R. see 7b)
R.The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is in His holy temple;
the LORD’s throne is in Heaven.
His eyes behold,
His searching glance is on mankind. R.
The LORD searches the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence He hates.
For the LORD is just, He loves just deeds;
the upright shall see His face. R.
Gospel – Jn 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon His chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray You?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow Me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?” It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
Featured Saints
St. Desiderius, Bishop and martyr (†c. 355). On behalf of his flock in Langres, France, oppressed by Vandals, he solicited the aid of the king, who became outraged and ordered him to be beheaded.
St. Michael of Synnada, bishop (†826). Archbishop of Synnada (in modern Turkey), he fostered peace between Greeks and Latins, and died in exile for defending the cult of sacred images.
St. John Baptist de Rossi, priest (†1764). Exercised his ministry in Rome, dedicating his time and resources to the poor and prisoners.
St. Eutychius, abbot (†circa 487). Elected prior of the Monastery of Nursia, he sought to rekindle the monks’ contemplative fervour and faithfulness to the rule.
St. Honoratus of Subiaco, abbot (†sixth century). He was superior of the community founded by St. Benedict, in Subiaco, Italy.
St. Guibert, monk (†962). Abandoning his military career, he built a monastery on lands that he owned in Gembloux, Belgium, and withdrew to the Monastery of Gorze, France.
Blesseds Joseph Kurzawa and Vincent Matuszewski, priests and martyrs (†1940). Killed for their Faith in the city of Witowo, during the Nazi occupation of Poland.
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