Liturgical Colour: Red. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
________
First reading
Acts 1:15-17,20-26
'Let someone else take his office'
One day Peter stood up to speak to the brothers – there were about a hundred and twenty persons in the congregation: ‘Brothers, the passage of scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit, speaking through David, foretells the fate of Judas, who offered himself as a guide to the men who arrested Jesus – after having been one of our number and actually sharing this ministry of ours. Now in the Book of Psalms, it says:
Let his camp be reduced to ruin,
Let there be no one to live in it.
And again:
Let someone else take his office.
‘We must therefore choose someone who has been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was traveling round with us, someone who was with us right from the time when John was baptizing until the day when he was taken up from us – and he can act with us as a witness to his resurrection.’
Having nominated two candidates, Joseph known as Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias, they prayed, ‘Lord, you can read everyone’s heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen to take over this ministry and apostolate, which Judas abandoned to go to his proper place.’ They then drew lots for them, and as the lot fell to Matthias, he was listed as one of the twelve apostles.
Commentary
Vacant Apostolic Office: Following Judas Iscariot's betrayal and subsequent death, Peter addresses the need to fill the apostolic vacancy, recognizing it as prophesied in Scripture (Acts 1:15-17, 20).
Criteria for Apostleship: Peter outlines the criteria for selecting a replacement apostle, emphasizing the necessity of choosing someone who had been with Jesus from His baptism to His ascension (Acts 1:21-22).
Prayer and Decision: The disciples pray for guidance in selecting a suitable candidate, seeking divine wisdom to discern God's choice (Acts 1:24-25).
Matthias Chosen: Through a process of casting lots, Matthias is chosen to fill Judas' place among the apostles, becoming a witness to Jesus' resurrection (Acts 1:26).
Faithful Succession: The selection of Matthias ensures the continuity and integrity of the apostolic ministry, highlighting the importance of orderly succession and divine guidance within the early Church.
________
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 112(113):1-8
The Lord sets him in the company of the princes of his people.
or
Alleluia!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed
both now and forevermore!
The Lord sets him in the company of the princes of his people.
or
Alleluia!
From the rising of the sun to its setting
praised be the name of the Lord!
High above all nations is the Lord,
above the heavens his glory.
The Lord sets him in the company of the princes of his people.
or
Alleluia!
Who is like the Lord, our God,
who has risen on high to his throne
yet stoops from the heights to look down,
to look down upon heaven and earth?
The Lord sets him in the company of the princes of his people.
or
Alleluia!
From the dust, he lifts up the lowly,
from the dung heap, he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes,
yes, with the princes of his people.
The Lord sets him in the company of the princes of his people.
or
Alleluia!
________
Gospel Acclamation
cf.Jn15:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
I chose you from the world
to go out and bear fruit,
fruit that will last,
says the Lord.
Alleluia!
________
Gospel
John 15:9-17
You are my friends if you do what I command you
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.
This is my commandment:
love one another, as I have loved you.
A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.
You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you
is to love one another.’
Commentary
Divine Friendship: Jesus expresses His intimate relationship with His disciples, declaring them as His friends, characterized by mutual love and obedience (John 15:9-10).
Abiding in Love: Jesus emphasizes the importance of abiding in His love, which is demonstrated through obedience to His commands, resulting in joy and fulfillment (John 15:10-11).
Sacrificial Love: Jesus underscores the supreme example of love as laying down one's life for friends, signifying His impending sacrifice on the cross (John 15:12-13).
Chosen and Appointed: Jesus reminds His disciples that they have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit, which includes loving one another as He has loved them (John 15:16-17).
Fruitful Friendship: The foundation of friendship with Jesus lies in obedient love, leading to a life of purposeful service and bearing fruit for His kingdom, rooted in His love and abiding presence.
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