Monday in the 5th Week of Easter
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 14:5-18
There was an attempt in Iconium by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas. They realized it, and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, where they continued to proclaim the Good News. At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.” He jumped up and began to walk about. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in human form.” They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice. The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them. In past generations He allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; yet, in bestowing His goodness, He did not leave Himself without witness, for He gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.” Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16 (R. 1ab)
R.Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to Your name give glory
because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.
Why should the pagans say,
“Where is their God?” R.
Our God is in Heaven;
whatever He wills, He does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men. R.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,
but the earth He has given to the children of men. R.
Gospel – Jn 14:21-26
Jesus said to His disciples: “”Whoever has My commandments and observes them is the one who loves Me. Whoever loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”” Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “”Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”” Jesus answered and said to him, “”Whoever loves Me will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words; yet the word you hear is not Mine but that of the Father who sent Me. “”I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name– he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.””
Featured Saints
Blessed Marie-Catherine de St. Augustine, virgin (†1668). Optional Memorial in Canada. Religious from of the Congregation of the Sister Hospitallers of Mercy of St. Augustine in Quebec; the charity of this French-born missionary shone in her care for the sick and her zeal for souls.
St. Boniface IV, Pope (†615). Benedictine monk elevated to the Pontifical Throne. He transformed the Pantheon into a church dedicated to Our Lady and the martyrs.
St. Benedict II, Pope (†685). Successor of Leo II, he was outstanding for his love of poverty, humility, affability, patience and generous almsgiving.
St. Victor, martyr (†304). A soldier of the Imperial army, he was tortured and finally beheaded during the persecution of Maximian for refusing to sacrifice to the gods.
Blessed Ulrika Nisch, virgin (†1913). Religious from the Sisters of Charity of the Holy Cross in Germany, she completed humble tasks with heroic abnegation.
St. Acacius, martyr (†fourth century). Centurion of the imperial army, he was scourged, tortured and beheaded in Constantinople for his Christian Faith.
St. Gibrian, priest (†c. 515). Irish priest who became a pilgrim in Gaul for the love of Christ.
St. Wiro, missionary (†c. 700). Tradition holds that, with his companions Plechelm and Otger, he carried out a large-scale apostolate in the Roermond region of Holland.
Blessed Angelo de Massaccio, priest and martyr (†circa 1458). Prior of the Camaldolese Monastery of Santa Maria della Serra, in Italy, and intrepid defender of the observance of the Lord’s Day.
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