Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
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First reading
Acts 22:30, 23:6-11
'You have borne witness in Jerusalem: now you must do the same in Rome'
Since the tribune wanted to know what precise charge the Jews were bringing, he freed Paul and gave orders for a meeting of the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin; then he brought Paul down and stood him in front of them. Now Paul was well aware that one section was made up of Sadducees and the other of Pharisees, so he called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’ As soon as he said this a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was split between the two parties. For the Sadducees say there is neither resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, while the Pharisees accept all three. The shouting grew louder, and some of the scribes from the Pharisees’ party stood up and protested strongly, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?’ Feeling was running high, and the tribune, afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered his troops to go down and haul him out and bring him into the fortress.
The next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’
Commentary
Legal Proceedings: The commander orders Paul to be brought before the Sanhedrin to stand trial, seeking to ascertain the cause of the Jews' vehement accusations against him (Acts 22:30).
Divisive Strategy: Sensing the division among the Pharisees and Sadducees regarding the resurrection, Paul strategically aligns himself with the Pharisees, proclaiming his belief in the resurrection of the dead, causing a dispute among the council (Acts 23:6-7).
Divine Intervention: Recognizing the escalating tension, the commander fears for Paul's safety and orders him to be removed from the council, while God reassures Paul of His presence and protection, promising that he will bear witness in Rome as he did in Jerusalem (Acts 23:9-11).
Fulfillment of Prophecy: The assurance of bearing witness in Rome echoes the divine plan for Paul's ministry, fulfilling the prophetic call to testify about Jesus before kings and Gentiles (Acts 9:15).
Faith Amidst Adversity: Paul's unwavering faith and obedience to God's calling exemplify the resilience of the Christian faith amidst persecution, demonstrating the triumph of God's purposes over human opposition.
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 15(16):1-2, 5, 7-11
Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
or
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you who are my prize.’
Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
or
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
or
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.
Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
or
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness forever.
Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
or
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
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Gospel Acclamation
cf.Jn 16:7,13
Alleluia, alleluia!
I will send you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord;
he will lead you to the complete truth.
Alleluia!
Or:
Jn 17:21
Alleluia, alleluia!
With them in you and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realize that it was you who sent me,
says the Lord.
Alleluia!
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Gospel
John 17:20-26
Father, may they be completely one
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these,
but for those who also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One,
the world has not known you,
but I have known you,
and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them
and will continue to make it known,
so that the love with which you loved me may be in them,
and so that I may be in them.’
Commentary
Prayer for Unity: Jesus extends His prayer beyond the immediate disciples to all who would believe in Him through their message, expressing His desire for unity among believers (John 17:20-21).
Unity's Testimony: Jesus emphasizes that unity among believers will serve as a powerful testimony to the world, demonstrating the authenticity of Jesus' mission and the divine love shared between the Father and the Son (John 17:22-23).
Unity in Divine Love: Jesus prays for believers to experience the fullness of divine love, dwelling in them as He dwells in the Father, leading to a unity that transcends human understanding and reflects the glory of God (John 17:24-25).
Revelation of God's Name: Jesus reveals the Father's name to His disciples, manifesting His divine character and authority, and prays for believers to know the Father's love and to experience the fullness of joy in His presence (John 17:26).
Eternal Union: Jesus' prayer for unity among believers extends beyond earthly existence to encompass eternal fellowship with the Father and the Son, culminating in the realization of perfect unity and divine love in the heavenly realm.
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