Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).

First reading	Acts 9:31-42

‘The church was being built up and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.’

In those days: The church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralysed. And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.’ And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 116(115):12-13. 14-15. 16-17. ℟12

How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?

or: Alleluia.

How can I repay the Lord

for all his goodness to me?

The cup of salvation I will raise;

I will call on the name of the Lord.

How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?

or: Alleluia.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfil

before all his people.

How precious in the eyes of the Lord

is the death of his faithful.

How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?

or: Alleluia.

Your servant, Lord, your servant am I,

the son of your handmaid;

you have loosened my bonds.

I will offer you a thanksgiving sacrifice;

I will call on the name of the Lord.

How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?

or: Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation
Cf. John 6:63c, 68c

Alleluia, alleluia.

Your words, O Lord, are spirit and life;

you have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia.

Gospel	John 6:60-69

‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’

At that time: Many of the disciples of Jesus said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, ‘Do you take offence at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him. And he said, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.’ After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

So Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’

Universalis podcast: The week ahead – from 11 to 17 May

Habemus Papam! A deep reflection on conclaves and on elections of all kinds. The power of the Holy Spirit as the Person who can unite the “I” of each one of us into a meaningful “We”. Our will as electors; our wishes as electors; and the difference between the two. (24 minutes)
Episode notes.

The readings on this page are from the English Standard Version, which is used at Mass in Great Britain. The Jerusalem Bible (which is used at Mass in much of the English-speaking world) will appear instead if you set this page to use a calendar from outside Great Britain. The New American Bible readings, which are used at Mass in the United States, are available in the Universalis apps, programs and downloads.

You can also view this page with the New Testament in Greek and English.