Friday in the 5th Week of Easter
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 15:22-31
The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barnabas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the letter delivered by them: “The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'” And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 57:8-9, 10 and 12 (R. 10a)
R.I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn. R.
I will give thanks to You among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant Your praise among the nations.
For Your mercy towers to the heavens,
and Your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be Your glory! R.
Gospel – Jn 15:12-17
Jesus said to His disciples: “This is My commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from My Father. It was not you who chose Me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
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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