Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Holy Trinity Sunday)

Date: June 11, 2017

First Reading (Exodus 34: 4b–6 and 8–9)

A reading from the book of Exodus.

Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded, taking in his hands the two slabs of stone. And the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him, and Moses called on the name of the Lord. Then the Lord passed in front of him and cried out, "The Lord, the Lord is a God full of pity and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in truth and loving-kindness." Moses hastened to bow down to the ground and worshiped. He then stated, "If you really look kindly on me, my Lord, please come and walk in our midst and even though we are a stiff-necked people, pardon our wickedness and our sin and make us yours."

Second Reading (2 Corinthians 13: 11–13)

A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.

Finally, brothers and sisters, be happy, strive to be perfect, have courage, be of one mind and live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of Christ Jesus the Lord, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Gospel (John 3: 16–18)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus stated this to Nicodemus, "Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through him the world is to be saved. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned. He who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God."

Solemnity of the Pentecost

Date: June 3, 2017 and June 4, 2017

Readings for Pentecost Vigil

First Reading (Genesis 11: 1–9)

A reading from the book of Genesis.

The whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved from east, they found a plain in the country of Shinar where they settled. They stated to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them in fire." They used brick for stone and bitumen for mortar. They stated also, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top reaching heaven; so that we may become a great people and not be scattered over the face of the earth!" The Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of man were building, and the Lord stated, "They are one people and they have one language. If they carry this through, nothing they decide to do from now on will be impossible. Come! Let us go down and confuse their language so that they will no longer understand each other." So the Lord scattered them over all the earth and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth and from there the Lord scattered them over the whole face of the earth.

Second Reading (Exodus 19: 3–8, 16–20)

A reading from the book of Exodus.

The Israelites camped there in front of the mountain, but Moses went up to God and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "This is what you are to say and to explain to the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself. Now if you listen to me and keep my covenant, you shall be my very own possession among all the nations. For all the earth is mine, but you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." And he added, "This is what you are to say to the people of Israel." So Moses went and summoned all the elders of the people and related to them all that the Lord had commanded him to say. All the people responded with one voice, "All that the Lord has said, we will do." Moses then brought back to the Lord the people's response. On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning and a dense cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast was heard. All the people in the camp trembled. Moses then made the people leave the camp to meet God and stand at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was completely covered in smoke because the Lord had come down in fire, and the smoke rose as from a furnace. The whole mountain shook violently, while the blast of the of the trumpet became louder and louder. Moses spoke and God replied in thunder. When the Lord had come down to the summit of Mount Sinai, God called Moses, who went to the summit.

Third Reading (Ezekiel 37: 1–14)

A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.

The hand of the Lord was upon me. He brought me out and led me in spirit to the middle of the valley which was full of bones. He made me walk to and fro among them and I could see there was a great number of them on the ground all along the valley and that they were very dry. The Lord stated to me, "Son of man, can these bones live again?" I stated, "Lord God, only you know that." He then stated, "Speak on my behalf concerning these bones; say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! The Lord says: I am going to put spirit in you and make you live. I shall put sinews on you and make flesh grow on you; I shall cover you with skin and give you my spirit, that you may live. And you will know that I am the Lord." I prophesied as I had been commanded and then there was a noise and commotion; the bones joined together. I looked and saw that they had sinews, that flesh was growing on them and that he was covering them with skin. But there was no spirit in them. So the Lord stated to me, "Speak on my behalf and call on the Spirit, son of man! Say to the Spirit: This is the word of the Lord: Spirit, come from the four winds. Breathe into these dead bones and let them live!" I prophesied as he had commanded me and breath entered them; they came alive, standing on their feet — a great, immense army! He then stated to me, "Son of man, these bones are all Israel. They keep saying: 'Our bones are dry, hope has gone, it is the end of us.' So prophesy! Say to them: This is what the Lord says: I am going to open your tombs, I shall bring you out of your tombs, my people, and lead you back to the land of Israel. You will know that I am the Lord, O my people! When I open your graves and bring you out of your graves, when I put my spirit in you and you live. I shall settle you in your land and you will know that I, the Lord, have done what I said I would do."

Fourth 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.

Epistle (Romans 8: 22–27)

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

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 day of Pentecost came, the apostles were all together in one place. And suddenly out of the sky came a sound like a strong rushing wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared tongues as if of fire which parted and came to rest upon each one of them. All were filled with Holy Spirit and began to speak other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. Staying in Jerusalem were religious Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered, all excited because each heard them speaking in his own language. Full of amazement and wonder, they asked, "Are not all those who are speaking Galileans? How is it that we hear them in our own native language? Here are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libra belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and foreigners who accept Jewish beliefs, Cretians and Arabians; and all of us hear them proclaiming in our own language what God, the Savior, does."

Second Reading (1 Corinthians 12: 3b–7 and 12–13)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: Nobody can say, "Jesus is the Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. There is diversity of gifts, but the Spirit is the same. There is diversity of ministries, but the Lord is the same. There is diversity of works, but the same God works in all. The Spirit reveals his presence in each one with a gift which is also a service. As the body is one, having many members, and all the members, while being many, form one body, so it is with Christ. All of us, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, have been baptized in one Spirit to form one body and all of us have been given to drink from the one Spirit.

Gospel (John 20: 19–23)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
On the evening of that day, the first day after the sabbath, the doors were locked where the disciples were, because of their fear of the Jews, but Jesus came and stood in their midst. He stated to them, "Peace be with you"; then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples kept looking at the Lord and were full of joy. Again Jesus stated to them, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." After stating this he breathed on them and stated to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit; for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained."

7th Sunday of Easter

Date: May 28, 2017

First Reading (Acts 1: 12–14)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
After Jesus had been taken up to heaven, the apostles then returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olives, which is a fifteen-minute walk away. On entering the city they went to the room upstairs where they were staying. Present there were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James, son of Alpheus; Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. All of these together gave themselves to constant prayer. With them were some women and also Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Second Reading (1 Peter 4: 13–16)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Peter.
Beloved: You should be glad to share in the sufferings of Christ because, on the day his Glory is revealed, you will also fully rejoice. You are fortunate if you are insulted because of the name of Christ, for the Spirit of glory rests on you. I supposed that none of you should suffer for being a murderer, a thief, a criminal or an informer; but if anyone suffers on account of being a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace; rather let this name bring glory to God.

Gospel (John 17: 1–11a)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and stated, "Father, the hour has come; give glory to your Son, that the Son may give glory to you. You have given him power over all mortals, and you want him to bring eternal life to all you have entrusted to him. For this is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and the One you sent, Jesus Christ. I have glorified you on earth and finished the work that you gave me to do. Now, Father, give me in your presence the same Glory I had with you before the world began. I have made your name known to those you gave me from the world. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they kept your word. And now they know that all you have given me comes indeed from you. I have given them the teaching I received from you, and they received it and know in truth that I came from you; and they believe that you have sent me. I pray for them; I do not pray for the world but for those who belong to you and whom you have given to me — indeed all I have is yours and all you have is mine — and now they are my glory. I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world whereas I am going to you."

The Ascension of the Lord

Date: May 25, 2017

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)

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: 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; may 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.

Gospel (Matthew 28: 16–20)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
As for the Eleven disciples, they went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Jesus, they bowed before him, although some doubted. Then Jesus approached them and stated, "I have given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make 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 this world."

6th Sunday of Easter

Date: May 21, 2017

First Reading (Acts 8: 5–8 and 14–17)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Philip went down to a town of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. All the people paid close attention to what Philip stated as they listened to him and saw the miraculous signs which he did. For in cases of possession, the unclean spirits came out shrieking loudly. Many people who were paralyzed or crippled were healed. So there was great joy in that town. Now, when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. They went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not as yet come down upon any of them since they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. So Peter and John laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Second Reading (1 Peter 3: 15–18)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Peter.
Beloved: Bless the Lord Christ in your hearts. Always have an answer ready when you are called upon to account for your hope, but give it simply and with respect. Keep your conscience clear so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your upright, Christian living. Better to suffer for doing good, if it is God's will, than for doing wrong. Remember how Christ died, once and for all, for our sins. He, the just one, died for the unjust in order to lead us to God. He died as humans do, but was raised to life by the Spirit.

Gospel (John 14: 15–21)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus stated this to his disciples, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, that Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him for he is with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans, I am coming to you. A little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me because I live and you will also live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father and you in me, and I in you. Whoever keeps my commandments is the one who loves me. If he loves me, he will also be loved by my Father; I too shall love him and show myself clearly to him."

5th Sunday of Easter

Date: May 14, 2017

First Reading (Acts 6: 1–7)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together and stated, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God to serve at tables. So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men full of Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task. As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word." The whole community agreed and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch who was a proselyte. They presented these men to the apostles who first prayed over them and then laid hands upon them. The Word of God continue to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly and even many priests accepted the faith.

Second Reading (1 Peter 2: 4–9)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Peter.
Beloved: The Lord is the living stone rejected by people but chosen by God and precious to him. On drawing close to him, you also became living stones built into a spiritual temple, a holy community of priests offering spiritual sacrifices which please God through Jesus Christ. Scripture states: See, I lay in Zion a chosen and precious cornerstone; whoever believes in him will not be disappointed. This means honor for you who believed, but for unbelievers, also the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone and it is a stone to stumble over, a rock which lays people low. They stumble over it in rejecting the Word, but the plan of God is fulfilled in this. You are a chosen race, a community of priest-kings, a consecrated nation, a people God has made his own to proclaim his wonders. For he called you from your darkness to his own wonderful light.

Gospel (John 14: 1–12)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus stated this to his disciples, "Do not be troubled; trust in God and trust in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms. Otherwise I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to me, so that where I am, you also may be. Yet you know the way where I am going." Thomas stated to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus stated, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. If you know me, you will know the Father also; indeed you know him and you have seen him." Philip asked him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that is enough." Jesus replied to Philip, "What? I have been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever sees me sees the Father; how can you say: 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? All that I say to you, I do not say of myself. The Father who dwells in me is doing his own work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; at least believe it on the evidence of these works that I do. Truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will do the same works that I do; and he will even do greater than these, for I am going to the Father."

4th Sunday of Easter

Date: May 7, 2017

First Reading (Acts 2: 14a and 36–41)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, and, with a loud voice, addressed the people, "Let Israel then know for sure that God has made Lord and Christ this Jesus whom you crucified." When they heard this, they were deeply troubled. And they asked Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do, brothers?" Peter answered: "Each of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven. Then you all receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise of God was made to you and your children, and to all those from afar whom our God may call." With many other words Peter gave the message and appealed to them stating, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who accepted his word were baptized; some three thousand persons were added to their number that day.

Second Reading (1 Peter 2: 20b–25)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Peter.
Brothers and sisters: If you endure punishment when you have done well, that is a grace of God. This is your calling: remember Christ who suffered for you, leaving an example so that you may follow in his way. He did no wrong and there was no deceit in his mouth. He did not return insult for insult and, when suffering, he did not curse but put himself in the hands of God who judges justly. He went to the cross burdened with our sins so that we might die to sin and live an upright life. For by his wounds you have been healed. You were like stray sheep, but you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Gospel (John 10: 1–10)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus stated this to his disciples and the Pharisees, "Truly, I say to you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. But the shepherd of the sheep enters by the gate. The keeper opens the gate to him and the sheep hear his voice; he calls each of his sheep by name and leads them out. When has brought out all his own, he goes before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, rather they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." Jesus used this comparison, but they did not understand what he was stating to them. Therefore, Jesus stated, "Truly, I say to you, I am the gate of the sheep. All who came were thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not hear them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved; he will go in and out freely and find food. The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, life in all its fullness."