Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
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First reading
Acts 20:28-38
I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, and its power
Paul addressed these words to the elders of the church of Ephesus:
‘Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks, there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard, remembering how night and day for three years I never failed to keep you right, shedding tears over each one of you. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace that has the power to build you up and to give you your inheritance among all the sanctified.
‘I have never asked anyone for money or clothes; you know for yourselves that the work I did earned enough to meet my needs and those of my companions. I did this to show you that this is how we must exert ourselves to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”’
When he had finished speaking he knelt down with them all and prayed. By now they were all in tears; they put their arms around Paul’s neck and kissed him; what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
Commentary
Elderly Admonition: Paul addresses the Ephesian elders, urging them to shepherd the flock with vigilance, recognizing their responsibility as overseers appointed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28).
Guardianship of God's Church: Paul emphasizes the gravity of their role, warning against the rise of false teachings and the threat of internal division, emphasizing the need for steadfastness and protection (Acts 20:29-30).
Commendation to God: Paul commends the elders to God and to the message of His grace, acknowledging the transformative power of God's Word to build them up and grant them an inheritance among the sanctified (Acts 20:32).
Hard Work and Generosity: Paul recalls his own example of hard work and generosity, reminding the elders of the importance of supporting the weak and modeling Christlike behavior (Acts 20:33-35).
Farewell and Prayer: Paul bids farewell to the elders, acknowledging their sorrow at his departure, but encouraging them to remain steadfast in the face of challenges, entrusting them to God's care and the message of His grace (Acts 20:36-38).
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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 67(68):29-30,33-36
Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
or
Alleluia!
Show forth, O God, show forth your might,
your might, O God, which you have shown for us.
For the sake of your temple high in Jerusalem
may kings come to you bringing their tribute.
Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
or
Alleluia!
Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, praise the Lord
who rides on the heavens, the ancient heavens.
He thunders his voice, his mighty voice.
Come, acknowledge the power of God.
Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
or
Alleluia!
His glory is on Israel; his might is in the skies.
God is to be feared in his holy place.
He is the Lord, Israel’s God.
He gives strength and power to his people.
Blessed be God!
Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
or
Alleluia!
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Gospel Acclamation
Mt28:19,20
Alleluia, alleluia!
Go, make disciples of all the nations.
I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.
Alleluia!
Or:
Jn17:17
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your word is truth, O Lord:
consecrate us in the truth.
Alleluia!
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Gospel
John 17:11-19
Father, keep those you have given me true to your name
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘Holy Father,
keep those you have given me true to your name,
so that they may be one like us.
While I was with them,
I kept those you had given me true to your name.
I have watched over them
and not one is lost
except the one who chose to be lost,
and this was to fulfil the scriptures.
But now I am coming to you
and while still in the world I say these things
to share my joy with them to the full.
I passed your word on to them,
and the world hated them,
because they belong to the world
no more than I belong to the world.
I am not asking you to remove them from the world,
but to protect them from the evil one.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth;
your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
I have sent them into the world,
and for their sake I consecrate myself
so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’
Commentary
Prayer for Protection: Jesus prays to the Father, asking Him to keep His disciples true to His name, guarding them from the evil one and preserving their unity (John 17:11-12).
Joy and Fulfillment: Jesus expresses His joy in the disciples' unity and prays for their continued protection and sanctification in the truth of God's Word (John 17:13-15).
Sent into the World: Jesus acknowledges that while the disciples are in the world, they are not of the world, just as He is not of the world. He prays for their sanctification through the truth of God's Word (John 17:16-17).
Commissioned for Mission: Jesus commissions the disciples to be sent into the world, just as He was sent by the Father, sanctifying Himself for their sake so that they may be sanctified in truth (John 17:18-19).
Empowered by Truth: Jesus' prayer emphasizes the disciples' need for protection, unity, and sanctification in the truth of God's Word as they fulfill their mission in the world, echoing His own example of obedience to the Father's will.
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