Readings: ST. STEPHEN, First Martyr

First Reading

First Reading: Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59

    Stephen, filled with grace and power,
    was working great wonders and signs among the people.
    Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
    Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,
    and people from Cilicia and Asia,
    came forward and debated with Stephen,
    but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

    When they heard this, they were infuriated,
    and they ground their teeth at him.
    But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,
    looked up intently to heaven
    and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
    and he said,
    "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man
    standing at the right hand of God."
    But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,
    and rushed upon him together.
    They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
    The witnesses laid down their cloaks
    at the feet of a young man named Saul.
    As they were stoning Stephen, he called out
    "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Responsorial Psalm

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

    R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.


    Be my rock of refuge,
    a stronghold to give me safety.
    You are my rock and my fortress;
    for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.
    R Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

    Into your hands I commend my spirit;
    you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.
    I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
    R Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

    Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
    Let your face shine upon your servant;
    save me in your kindness.
    R Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Holy Gospel

Gospel Reading: Mt 10:17-22

    Jesus said to his disciples, "Be on your guard with respect to people, for they will hand you over to their courts and they will flog you in their synagogues. You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings because of me, and so you may witness to them and the pagans.

    "But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say and how you are to say it; when the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say. For it is not you who will speak; but it will be the Spirit of your Father in you.

    "Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved."