Faith Bringing Our Community's Together
Sacramental Readings
Baptism readings
A READING FROM THE PROPHET EZEKIEL 36:24-28
The Lord says this: I am going to take you from among the nations and gather you together from all the foreign
countries, and bring you home to your own land. I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed; I
shall cleanse you of all your defilement and all your idols. I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you;
I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead. I shall put my spirit in
you, and make you keep my laws and sincerely respect my observances. You will live in the land which I gave
your ancestors. You shall be my people and I will be your God.
The word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.
A READING FROM THE PROPHET ISAIAH 41:10,13, -51:16
The Lord is you help.
Yahweh says this, do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be alarmed, for I am your God. I give you strength,
truly I help you, truly I hold you firm with my saving right hand. For I, Yahweh, your God, I grasp you by your right
hand; I tell you, 'Do not be afraid, I am with you.'
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
.
RESPONSORIAL PSALMS
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Response: Look towards the Lord and be radiant.
or
Response: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord, my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad. R/
Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called;
the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress. R/
The angel of the Lord is encamped
around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
He is happy who seeks refuge in him. R/
2
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Response: I thank you for the wonder of my being.
For it was you who created my being,
knit me together in my mother's womb.
I thank you for the wonder of my being,
for the wonders of all your creation. R/
Already you knew my soul,
my body held no secret from you
when 1 was being fashioned in secret
and moulded in the depths of the earth. R/
Your eyes saw all my actions,
they were all of them written in your book;
every one of my days was decreed
before one of them came into being. R/
To me, how mysterious your thoughts,
the sum of them not to be numbered!
If I count them, they are more than the sand;
to finish, I must be eternal, like you. R/
O search me, God, and know my heart.
O test me and know my thoughts.
See that I follow not the wrong path,
and lead me in the path of life eternal. R/
NEW TESTAMENT READINGS
Reading 1
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 6:3-5
When we were baptised, we went into the tomb with him: let us live a new life.
When we were baptised in Christ Jesus we were baptised in his death; in other words, when we were baptised
we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the
Father's glory, we too might live a new life. If in union with Christ we have
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Reading 2
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:28-32
To become true images of his Son.
We know that by turning everything to their good God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those that
he has called according to his purpose. They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become
true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this;
those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory. After saying this, what can we add?
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With God on our side who can be against us? Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit
us all, we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he can give.
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Reading 3
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 12:12-13
In the one Spirit, we were all baptised.
Just as a human body, though it is made up of many parts, is a single unit because all these parts, though many,
make one body, so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptised, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well
as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink.
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Reading 4
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Galatians 3:26-28
All baptised in Christ, you have all clothed yourselves in Christ.
You are, all of you, sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. All baptised in Christ, you have all clothed
yourselves in Christ, and there are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and
female, but all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Reading 5
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians 4:1-6
One Lord, one faith, one baptism
I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you. to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in
complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace
that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope
when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all,
through all and within all.
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
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GOSPEL - (PRIEST OR DEACON READS)
Reading 1
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
says the Lord; no one can come to the Father except through me.
Alleluia!
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 22:35-40
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
To disconcert Jesus, one of the Pharisees, a lawyer, put a question, 'Master, which is the greatest commandment
of the Law?' Jesus said, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it. You must love your neighbour
as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Reading 2
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
There is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, and one God,
who is Father of all.
Alleluia!
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 28:18-20
Make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus came up and spoke to his disciples. He said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to
the end of time.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
5
Reading 3
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
Our saviour, Christ Jesus,
abolished death,
and he has proclaimed life through the Good News.
Alleluia!
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 1:9-11
He was baptised in the Jordan by John.
Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of
the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came
from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.'
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Reading 4
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood
a consecrated nation;
sing the praises of God
who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Alleluia!
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:13-16
Let the little children come to me.
People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when
Jesus saw this he was indignant and said them, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to
such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you 'solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom
of God like a little child will never enter it.' Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave
them his blessing.
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Priest: My brothers and sisters, we pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who looks lovingly on Baby --------
, who is about to be baptised, on her parents and godparents, and on all the baptised.
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READER
1. We give thanks for the beautiful gift of ___________, may s/he grow strong in the beauty
and goodness in which she was created. Lord hear us
(All) Lord graciously hear us
2. We pray that ____________, baptised today will always receive the loving and joyful
support of our parish community. Lord hear us
(All) Lord graciously hear us
3. We pray that all present today will respond fully to the call of their baptism and accept
the grace to remain open to God’s call of service to one another. Lord hear us
(All) Lord graciously hear us
4. We pray that parents will strive to make their homes places where children learn about
the precious love of God. Lord hear us
(All) Lord graciously hear us
5. We pray for young people: that they may persevere in hope, trusting in God’s
faithfulness to them as they search for deeper meaning in life. Lord hear us
(All) Lord graciously hear us
Marriage Readings
MARRIAGE READINGS
Readings are presented in pairings. These are suggestions only. Any other suitable pairing may be used, and readings should be chosen with care, having regard to the pastoral needs of the occasion.
FIRST READING
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS1:26-28.31
Male and female, he created them.
God said, 'Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild beasts and all the reptiles that crawl upon the earth.’
God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it. Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all living animals on the earth.' God saw all he had made, and indeed it was very good.
The word of the Lord.
ResponSORIAL PSALMPs 32:12.18.20-22. R v.5
R. The Lord fills the earth with his love.
They are happy, whose God is the Lord,
the people he has chosen as his own.
The Lord looks on those who revere him,
on those who hope in his love. R.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
The Lord is our help and our shield.
In him do our hearts find joy.
We trust in his holy name. R.
May your love be upon us,
O Lord, as we place all our hope in you. R.
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS2:18-24
They become one body.
The Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helpmate.' So, from the soil the Lord God fashioned all the wild beasts and all the birds of heaven. These he brought to the man to see what he would call them; each one was to bear the name the man would give it. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of heaven and all the wild beasts. But no helpmate suitable for man was found for him. So, the Lord God made the man fall into a deep sleep. And while he slept, he took one of hid ribs and enclosed it in flesh. The Lord God built the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man.
The man exclaimed:
‘This at last is bone from my bones
and flesh of my flesh!
This is to be called Woman, for this was taken from Man.’
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 148:1-4. 9-14.Rv.12
R. Praise the name of the Lord
or
R. Alleluia!
1. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his host! R
2. Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, shining stars,
Praise him, highest heavens,
and the waters above the heavens. R
3. All mountains and hills,
all fruit trees and cedars,
beasts, wild and tame,
reptiles and birds on the wing. R
4. All earth’s kings and peoples,
earth’s princes and rulers:
young men and maidens,
old men together with children. R
5. Let them praise the name of the Lord for he alone is exalted.
The splendour of his name
reaches beyond heaven and earth. R
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF TOBIT 8: 4-8
Bring us to old age together
On the evening of their marriage, Tobias said to Sarah, ‘You and I must pray and petition our Lord to win his grace and protection.’ They began praying for protection, and this was how he began:
‘You are blessed, O God of our fathers;
blessed too is your name
for ever and ever.
Let the heavens bless you
and all things you have made
for evermore.
It was you who created Adam,
you who created Eve his wife
to be his help and support;
and from these two the human race was born.
It was you who said,
”It is not good that man should be alone;
let us make him a helpmate like himself.”
And so, I do not take my sister
for any lustful motive;
I do it in singleness of heart.
Be kind enough to have pity on her and on me
and bring us to old age together.’
And together they said, ‘Amen, Amen’.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALMPs 102:1-2 8. 13. 17-18 R v.8Alt R v.17
R. The Lord is compassion and love.
or
R. The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear
1. The Lord is kind and full of compassion,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all,
compassionate to all his creatures. R
2. All your creatures shall thank you,
O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
The eyes of all creatures look to you
and you give them their food in due time. R
3. The Lord is just in all his ways
and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him,
who call on him from their hearts. R
4
A READING FROM THE SONG OF SONGS 2:8-10. 14.16; 8:6-7
Love is strong as Death
I hear my Beloved.
See how he comes
leaping on the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle,
like a young stag.
See where he stands
behind our wall.
He looks in at the window,
he peers through the lattice.
My Beloved lifts up his voice,
he says to me,
‘Come then, my love,
my lovely one, come.
My dove,
hiding in the clefts of the rock.
In the coverts of the cliff,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet
and your face is beautiful.’
My beloved is mine and I am his.
Set me like a seal on your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is strong as Death,
jealousy relentless as Sheol.
The flash of it a flash of fire,
a flame of the Lord himself.
Love no flood can quench,
no torrents drown.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALMPs 127:1-5. R cf. v.1Alt. R v.4
R. O blessed are those who fear the Lord!
or
R. Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord.
1. O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways!
By the labour of your hands you shall eat.
you will be happy and prosper. R
2. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. R
3. Indeed, thus shall be blessed
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life! R
5
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTICUS 26:1-4.13-16
Like the sun rising is the beauty of a good wife in a well-kept house.
Happy the husband of a really good wife;
the number of his days will be doubled.
A perfect wife is the joy of her husband,
he will live out the years of his life in peace.
A good wife is the best of portions,
reserved for those who fear the Lord;
rich or poor they will be glad of heart;
cheerful of face whatever the season.
The grace of a wife will charm her husband,
her accomplishments will make him stronger.
A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,
no price can be put on a well-trained character.
A modest wife is a boon twice over,
a chaste character cannot be weighed on scales
Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord
is the beauty of a good wife in a well-kept house.
The word of the Lord
RESPONSORIAL PSALMPs 33:2-9. v.2 Alt. R v.9
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
Or
R. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
1. I will bless the lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad. R
2. Glorify the Lord with me.
Together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord and he answered me;
from all my terrors, he set me free. R
3. Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This poor man called;
the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress. R
4. The angel of the Lord is encamped
around those who revere him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
He is happy who seeks refuge in him. R
A READING FROM THE PROPHET JEREMIAH 31:31-34
I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the House of Judah.
See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah, but not a covenant like one I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. No, this is the covenant I will make with the House of Israel when those days arrive – it is the Lord who speaks. Deep within them I will plant my Law, writing it on their hearts. Then I will be their God and they shall be my people. There will be no further need for neighbour to try to teach neighbour, or brother to say to brother, ‘Learn to know the Lord!’
No, they will all know me, the least no less than the greatest –
it is the Lord who speaks.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 111:1-9. R cf. v.1
R Happy the man who takes delight in the Lords commands
Or
R Alleluia!
1. Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed. R
2. Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm forever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
he is generous, merciful and just. R
3. The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honour.
the just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever. R
4. He has no fear of evil news;
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart, he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes. R
5. Open –handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory. R
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It is appropriate to use this reading in the Easter Season.
A READING FROM THE BOOK OF THE APOCALYPSE 19:1. 5-9
Happy are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
I, John, seemed to hear the great sound of a huge crowd in heaven, singing,
‘Alleluia! Victory and glory and power to our God.’
Then a voice came from the throne; it said,
‘Praise our God, you servants of his and all who, great or small, revere him’.
And I seemed to hear the voices of a huge crowd,
like the sound of the ocean or the great roar of thunder, answering, ‘Alleluia!
The rain of the Lord our God Almighty has begun; let us be glad and joyful and give praise to God, because this is the time for marriage of the Lamb. His bride is ready, and she has been able to dress herself in dazzling white linen, because her linen is made of the good deeds of the saints.’ The angel said, ‘Write this:
Happy are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.’
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 148;1-4.9-14. R v.12
R Praise the name of the Lord.
Or
R Alleluia!
1. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his host. R
2. Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, shining stars.
Praise him, highest heavens
and the waters above the heavens. R
3. All mountains and hills,
all fruit trees and cedars,
beasts, wild and tame,
reptiles and birds on the wing. R
4. All earths kings and peoples,
earths princes and rulers:
young men and maidens,
old men together with children. R
5. Let them praise the name of the Lord
for he alone is exalted.
The splendour of his name
reaches beyond heaven and earth. R
A READING FROM THE LETTER OF ST PAUL TO THE ROMANS 8:31-35. 37-39
Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ?
With God on our side who can be against us?
Since God did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to benefit us all,
we may be certain, after such a gift, that he will not refuse anything he will give. Could anyone excuse those that God has chosen?
When God acquits, could anyone condemn? Could Christ Jesus?
No! He not only died for us – he rose from the dead,
and there at Gods right hand he stands and pleads for us.
Nothing therefore can come between us and the love of Christ,
even if we are troubled or worried or being prosecuted, or lacking food or clothes,
or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us.
For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depths, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The word of the Lord.
A READING FROM THE LETTER OF ST PAUL TO THE ROMANS 12:1-2. 9-18
Offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to him.
Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your own new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good. What is it that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.
Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as much as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.
Bless those who persecute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be condescending but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow yourself to become self-satisfied. Never repay evil with evil but let everyone see that you are interested only in the highest ideals. Do all you can to live at peace with everyone.
The word of the Lord.
Shorter form
A READING FROM THE LETTER OF ST PAUL TO THE ROMANS 12:1-2. 9-13
Offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God.
Think of Gods mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God.
Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.
Do not let your love be a pretence but, sincerely prefer good to evil.
Love each other as much as brothers should, and have profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit.
If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.
The word of the Lord.
3
A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 12:31-13:8
If I am without love, it will do me no good whatever.
Be ambitious for the higher gifts.
And I am going to show you a way that is better than any of them.
If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or a cymbal clashing. If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all.
If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever.
Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; Love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offence, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sin but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.
Love does not come to an end.
The word of the Lord.
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A READING FROM THE LETTER OF ST PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS 5:2.21-33
This mystery has no implications and I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church.
Follow Christ by loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place. Give way to one and other in obedience to Christ. Wives should regard their husbands as they regard the Lord, since as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife; and as the Church submits to Christ, so shall the wives to their husbands, in everything. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loves the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her in water with a form of words, so that when he took her to himself she would be glorious, with no spec or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless. In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself. A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church, because it is his body – and we are its living parts. For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one body. This mystery has many implications; but I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church. To sum up you too, each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband.
The word of the Lord.
Shorter form
A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF ST PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 5:2. 25-32
This mystery has many implications; but I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church.
Follow Christ by loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loves the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her in water with a form of words, so that when he took her to himself she would be glorious with no spec or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless. In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself. A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church, because it is his body – and we are its living parts. For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one body. This mystery has many implications; but I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church.
The word of the Lord.
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Colossians 3:12-17
Over all these, to keep them together and complete them, put on love.
You are Gods chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and to complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body.
Always be thankful.
Let the message of Christ in all its richness, find a home with you.
Teach each other, and advise each other in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The word of the Lord.
A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF ST PETER 3:1-9
You should all agree among yourselves and be sympathetic; love the brothers.
Wives should be obedient to their husbands. Then, if there are some husbands who have not yet obeyed the word, they may find them- selves won over, without a word spoken, by the way their wives behave, when they see how faithful and conscientious they are. Do not dress up for show: doing up your hair, wearing gold bracelets and fine clothes; all this should be inside, in a person's heart, imperishable: the ornament of a sweet and gentle disposition - this is what is precious in the sight of God. That was how the holy women of the past dressed themselves attractively - they hoped in God and were tender and obedient to their husbands; like Sarah, who was obedient to Abraham, and called him her lord. You are now her children, as long as you live good lives and do not give way to fear or worry.
In the same way, husbands must always treat their wives with consideration in their life together, respecting a woman as one who though she may be the weaker partner, is equally an heir to the life of grace. This will stop anything from coming in the way of your prayers.
Finally: you should all agree among yourselves and be sympathetic; love the brothers, have compassion and be self-effacing. Never pay back one wrong with another one; instead, pay back with a blessing. That is what you are called to do, so that you inherit blessing yourself.
The word of the Lord.
A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF ST JOHN 3:18-24
Our love is to be something real and active.
My Children our love is not to be just words or mere talk,
but something real and active;
only by this can we be certain
that we are children of the truth
and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence,
whatever accusations it may raise against us,
because God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything.
My dear people
if we cannot be condemned by our own conscience,
we need not be afraid in God's presence,
and whatever we ask him,
we shall receive,
because we keep his commandments
and live the kind of life that he wants.
His commandments are these:
that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ
and that we love one another as he told us to.
Whoever keeps his commandments lives in God and God lives in him.
We know that he lives in us by the Spirit that he has given us.
The word of the Lord.
A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF ST JOHN 4:7-12
God is love
My dear people,
let us love one another
since love comes from God
and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Anyone who fails to love can never have known God,
because God is love.
God's love for us was revealed
when God sent into the world his only Son
so that we could have life through him;
this is the love I mean:
not our love for God,
but God's love for us when he sent his Son
to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.
My dear people,
since God has loved us so much,
we too should love one another.
No one has ever seen God;
but as long as we love one another
God will live in us,
and his love will be complete in us.
The word of the Lord.
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GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1Jn 4:8.11
Alleluia, alleluia!
God is love;
let us love one another
as God has loved us.
Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 5:1-12
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
'How happy are the poor in spirit;
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy the gentle:
they shall have the earth for their heritage.
Happy those who mourn:
they shall be comforted.
Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:
they shall be satisfied.
Happy the merciful:
they shall have mercy shown them.
Happy the pure in heart:
they shall see God.
Happy the peacemakers:
they shall be called sons of God.
Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION l Jn 4:12
Alleluia, alleluia!
As long as we love one another
God will live in us,
and his love will be complete in us.
Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 5:13-16
You are the light of the world
Jesus said to his disciples: 'You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.’
'You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1Jn 4:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
Anyone who lives in love lives in God,
and God lives in him.
Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 7:21. 24-29
He built his house on rock
Jesus said to his disciples:
'It is not those who say to me, "Lord, Lord", who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. '
Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock.
Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against the house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock.
But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and struck that house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!'
Jesus had now finished what he wanted to say, and his teaching made a deep impression on the people because he taught them with authority, and not like their own scribes.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Shorter form
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 7:21. 24-25
He built his house on rock.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘It is not those who say to me, "Lord, Lord", who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven.
" Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them, will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1Jn4:7
Alleluia, alleluia!
Everyone who loves
is begotten by God,
and knows God.
Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 19.-3-6
What God has united, man must not divide.
Some Pharisees approached Jesus, and to test him they said,
'Is it against the Law for a man to divorce his wife on any pretext whatever?'
He answered, 'Have you not read that the creator from the beginning made them male and female and that he said: This is why a man must leave father and mother, and cling to his wife, and the two become one body? They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1Jn 4:8.11
Alleluia, alleluia!
God is love;
let us love one another
as God has loved us.
Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 22:35-40
This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it.
A lawyer, to disconcert Jesus, put a question, 'Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?'
Jesus said, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself.
On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1Jn 4:7
Alleluia, alleluia!
Everyone who loves
is begotten by God,
and knows God.
Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK 10:6-9
They are no longer two, but one body.
Jesus said, 'From the beginning of creation God made them male and female.
This is why a man must leave father and mother, and the two become one body.
They are no longer two, therefore, but one body.
So then, what God has united, man must not divide.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION l Jn 4:12
Alleluia, alleluia!
As long as we love one another
God will live in us,
and his love will be complete in us.
Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN 2:1-11
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus - at Cana in Galilee.
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there,
and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine,
since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' Jesus said, 'Woman why turn to me?
My hour has not come yet.'
His mother said to the servants, 'Do whatever he tells you.' There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water,' and they filled them to the brim. 'Draw some out now,' he told them, 'and take it to the steward.' They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from - only the servants who had drawn the water knew - the steward called the bridegroom and said, people generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink, but you have kept the best wine till now.'
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1 Jn4: 16
Alleluia, alleluia!
Anyone who lives in love
lives in God,
and God lives in him. Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN 15:9-12
Remain in my love.
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 loved you.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1Jn 4:8. 11
Alleluia, alleluia!
God is love;
let us love one another
as God has loved us.
Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN 15:12-16
What I command you is to love one another.
Jesus said to his disciples:
'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. Y
or 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.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 1Jn 4:12
Alleluia, alleluia!
As long as we love one another
God will live in us,
and his love will
be complete in us.
Alleluia!
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN 17:20-26
May they be completely one.
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
'Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory
you have given me
because you loved me
before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One,
the world has not known you,
but I have known you,
and these have known
that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them
and will continue to make it known,
so that the love with which you loved me
may be in them, and so that I may be in them.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Shorter form
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN 17:20-23
May they be completely one.
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
'Holy Father, I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.