Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Holy Trinity Sunday)

Date: May 31, 2015

First Reading (Deuteronomy 4: 32–34 and 39–40)

A reading from the book of Deuteronomy.

Moses proclaimed to the people: "Ask of the times past. Inquire from the day when God created man on earth. Ask from one end of the world to the other: Have there ever been anything as extraordinary as this? Has anything like this been heard of before? Has there ever been a people who remained alive after hearing as you did the voice of the living God from the midst of the fire? Never has there been a God who went out to look for a people and take them out from among the other nations by the strength of trials and signs, by wonders, and by war, with a firm hand and an outstretched arm. Never has there been any deed as tremendous as those done for you by the Lord in Egypt, which you saw with your own eyes. Therefore, try to be convinced that the Lord is the only God of heaven and earth, and that there is no other. Observe the laws and the commandments that I command you today, and everything will be well with you and your children after you. So you will live long in the land which the Lord, your God, gives you forever."

Second Reading (Romans 8: 14–17)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters: All those who walk in the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God. Then, no more fear: you did not receive a spirit of slavery, but the Spirit that makes you sons and daughters and every time we cry, "Abba! Father!" the Spirit assures our spirit that we are sons and daughters of God. If we are children, we are heirs, too. Ours will be the inheritance of God and we will share it with Christ; for if we now suffer with him, we will also share Glory with him.

Gospel (Matthew 28: 16–20)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

The Eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told to go. When they saw Jesus, they bowed and worshipped him, although some doubted. Then Jesus approached them and stated, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and mark disciples from all nations. Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to fulfill all that I have commanded you. I am with you always until the end of the world."

Solemnity of the Pentecost

Date: May 23, 2015 and May 24, 2015

Readings for Pentecost Vigil

First Reading (Joel 3: 1–5)

A reading from the book of the prophet Joel.

In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on every mortal. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even upon my servants and maidens, I will pour out my Spirit on that day. I will show wonders in the heavens, and on earth blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will darken and the moon turn to blood at the approach of the great and dreadful day of God. Then all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. For on Mount Zion there will be a remnant, as the Lord has stated; in Jerusalem some will be saved — those whom the Lord will call.

Second Reading (Romans 8: 22–27)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters: We know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pangs of birth. Not creation alone, but even ourselves, although the Spirit was given to us as a foretaste of what we are to receive, we groan in our innermost being, eagerly awaiting the day when God will give us full rights and rescue our bodies as well. To hope is the way we are saved. But if we saw what we hoped for, there would be no longer be hope: how can you hope for what is already seen? So we hope for what we do not see and we will receive it through patient hope. We are weak, but the Spirit comes to help us. How to ask? And what shall we ask for? We do not know, but the spirit intercedes for us without words, as if with groans. And he who sees inner secrets knows the desires of the Spirit, for he asks for the holy ones what is pleasing to God.

Gospel (John 7: 37–39)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "Let anyone who is thirsty, come to me; and let the one who believes in me drink, for the Scripture states: Out of him shall flow rivers of living water." Jesus was referring to the Spirit which those who believe in him were to receive; the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet entered into his Glory.

Readings for Solemnity of the Pentecost (Pentecost Sunday)
First Reading (Acts 2: 1–11)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking, Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travellers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

Second Reading (Galatians 5: 16–25)
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians.
Brothers and sisters: I say to you: walk according to the Spirit and do not give way to the desires of the flesh war against the spirit, and the desires of the spirit are opposed to flesh. Both are in conflict with each other, so that you cannot do everything you would like. But let the Spirit lead you: this has nothing to do with submitting to the Law. You know what comes from the flesh: immorality, impurity and shamelessness, idol worship and magic, hatred, jealousy and violence, anger, ambition, division, factions, and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I again say to you what I have already stated: those who do these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy and peace, patience, understanding of others, kindness and fidelity, gentleness and self-control. For such things there is no Law or punishment. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its vices and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us live in a spiritual way.

Gospel (John 15: 26–27 and 16: 12–15)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.

7th Sunday of Easter

Date: May 17, 2015

First Reading (Acts 1:15–17, 20a and 20c–26)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers. There was a group of about ten dozens of people in the one place. He stated, "My brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'May another take his office.' Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Judas called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place." Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

Second Reading (1 John 4: 11–16)
A reading from the first letter of Saint John.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another. No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us. This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love, remains in God, and God in him.

Gospel (John 17: 11b–19)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed with these words: "Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction. In order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now, I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong 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, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."

The Ascension of the Lord

Date: May 14, 2015

First Reading (Acts 1: 1–11)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
In the first part of my work, Theophilus, I wrote of all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he ascended to heaven. But first he had instructed through the Holy Spirit the apostles he had chosen. After his passion, he presented himself to them, giving many signs that he was alive; over a period of forty days he appeared to them and taught them concerning the kingdom of God. Once when he had been eating with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the fulfillment of the Father's promise about which I have spoken to you: John baptized with water, but will be baptized with the Holy Spirit within a few days." When they had come together, they asked him, "Is it now that you will restore the Kingdom of Israel?" And he answered, "It is not for you to know the time and the steps which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the earth." After Jesus stated this, he was taken up before their eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight. While they were still looking up to heaven where he went, suddenly, two men dressed in white stood beside them and stated, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way as you have seen him go there."

Second Reading (Ephesians 1: 17–23) (Option 1)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
May the God of Christ Jesus our Lord, the Father of Glory, reveal himself to you and give you a spirit of wisdom, that you may know him. May he enlighten your inner vision, that you may appreciate the things we hope for, since we were called by God. May you know how great is the inheritance, the glory, God sets apart for his saints; my you understand with what extraordinary power he acts in favor of us who believe. He revealed his almighty power in Christ when he raised him from the dead and had him sit at his right hand in heaven, far above all rule, power, authority, dominion, or any other supernatural force that could be named, not only in this world but in the world to come as well. Thus has God put all things under the feet of Christ and set him above all things, as head of the Church which is his body. He who fills all in all unfolds his fullness in the Church.

Second Reading (Ephesians 4: 1–13) (Option 2)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Therefore, I, the prisoner of Christ, invite you, to live the vocation you have received. Be humble, kind, patient, and bear with one another in love. Make every effort to keep, among you, the unity of spirit, through bonds of peace. Let there be one body, and one Spirit, just as one hope is the goal of your calling by God. One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God, the Father of all, who is above all, and works through all, and is in all. But to each of us, divine grace is given, according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it is said: When he ascended to the heights, he brought captives and gave his gifts to people. He ascended, what does it mean, but, that he had also descended to the lower parts of the world? He, himself, who went down, then ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things. As for his gifts, to some, he gave to be apostles; to others, prophets, or even evangelists; or pastors and teachers. So, he prepared those who belong to him, for the ministry, in order to build up the Body of Christ, until we are all united, in the same faith and knowledge of the Son of God. Thus, we shall become the perfect Man, upon reaching maturity, and
sharing the fullness of Christ.

Gospel (Mark 16: 15–20)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Jesus stated this to the Eleven, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; the one who refuses to believe will be condemned. Signs like these will accompany those who have believed: in my Name they will cast out demons and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes and, if they drink anything poisonous, they will be unharmed. They will lay their hands on the sick and they will be healed." So then, after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his place at the right hand of God. The Eleven went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs which accompanied them.

6th Sunday of Easter

Date: May 10, 2015

First Reading (Acts 10: 25–26, 34–35 and 44–48)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
As Peter was about to enter the house, Cornelius went to him, fell on his knees and bowed low. But Peter lifted him up saying, "Stand up, for I too am a human being." Peter began to spoke to Cornelius and the group, "Truly, I realize that God does not show partiality, but in all nations he listens to everyone who fears God and does good." Peter was still speaking when the Holy Spirit came upon all who listened to the Word. And the believers of the Jewish origin who had come with Peter were amazed, "Why! God gives and pours the Holy Spirit on foreigners also!" For indeed this occurred: they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter declared, "Can we refuse to baptize with water these people who have received the Holy Spirit, just as we have?" So he had them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. After that they asked him to remain with them for some days.

Second Reading (1 John 4: 7–10)
A reading from the first letter of Saint John.
My dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Those who do not love have not known God, for God is love. How did the love of God appear among us? God sent his only Son into this world that we might have life through him. This is love: not that we loved God but that first loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Gospel (John 15: 9–17)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus states, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love. You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this, to gives one's life for one's friends; and you are my friends if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because servants do not know what their master is about. Instead, I have called you friends, since I have made known to you everything I learned from my Father. You did choose me; it was I who chose you and sent to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. And everything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. This is my command, that you love one another."

5th Sunday of Easter

Date: May 3, 2015

First Reading (Acts 9: 26–31)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. Then Barnabas took charge of him and brought him to the apostles, and he reported to them how he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem, and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord. He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists, but they tried to kill him. And when the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him on his way to Tarsus. The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers.

Second Reading (1 John 3: 18–24)
A reading from the first letter of Saint John.
Children, let us love not in word or speech, but in deed and truth. Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandments is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us. Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them, and the way we know that he remains in us, is from the Spirit he gave us.

Gospel (John 15: 1–8)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus stated to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me, you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."