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First Reading: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,
"Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,
you cannot be saved."
Because there arose no little dissension and debate
by Paul and Barnabas with them,
it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders
about this question.
The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,
and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them:
"The apostles and the elders, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
'It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R./ O God, let all the nations praise you!
or: R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R./ O God, let all the nations praise you!
or: R. Alleluia.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R./ O God, let all the nations praise you!
or: R. Alleluia.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R./ O God, let all the nations praise you!
or: R. Alleluia.
Second Reading: Rev 21:10-14, 22-23
The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
I saw no temple in the city
for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.
The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,
for the glory of God gave it light,
and its lamp was the Lamb.
Gospel Reading: John 14:23-29
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of the Father who sent me.
"I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
'I am going away and I will come back to you.'
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe."
Greetings
As the Spirit reminds us of Jesus' teaching,
may the love of the Father and the Son
and the peace of our risen Lord
be always with you.
R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
A. The Farewell Gifts of Jesus
Every now and then you hear about an old person, aware that death is not far away, giving advice to his or her daughters and sons: When I will be gone, do this and that for your own good and happiness. Jesus' parting words are also meant for us; they are a sort of testament. Jesus is saying that if we find that elusive true peace which he alone can give, we have to love him and the Father, and also one another. We have to keep listening to the Holy Spirit reminding us of Jesus and his teachings.
B. The Spirit Will Teach You
There are at times new problems we have to face in our personal life and in the life of the Church. How do we solve them? Jesus reminds us today that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to remind us of Jesus' teachings and to make us understand them. The Spirit will help us and the Church to see what is to be done in the light of our faith. We ask Jesus to give us this Spirit.
Penitential Act
Our peace is disturbed by our sins.
Let us seek the peace of the Lord's forgiveness.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you ask us to keep your word
and you assure us that you will live in us:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you promise us the Spirit,
who will remind us of your words and deeds:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you give us your peace,
the kind of peace the world cannot give us:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
and give us the peace of your pardon.
Let no fear trouble our hearts
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray
that the Spirit of Christ may guide us
(PAUSE)
Loving Father,
keep us faithful to the word of your Son.
Give us the Holy Spirit
to remind us of all Jesus has said to us
and done for us.
Let this Holy Spirit protect us
from all fear and cowardice
and give us the courage to build up the Church
in peace and with patient love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction: The Liberating Spirit Opens The Church To All
The Church does not belong to any partisan group. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the apostles decide collegially that the Church must be open to all.
Second Reading Introduction: The Church, Temple Of God's Presence
The apostle John describes the Church as a city wherein God dwells. It is founded on the apostles and is open to all.
Gospel Introduction: The Holy Spirit Will Teach Us
We express our love for Jesus by living according to his Gospel. He stays with us through his Holy Spirit, who gives us an understanding of what the Gospel asks of us—and the strength to live accordingly.
General Intercessions
Inspired by the Spirit of the Lord, let us pray to the Lord Jesus that he may unite us and the world in his peace and love. Let us say: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
- That in the dissension and controversies in the Church of our day, Christians who communicate together may not excommunicate one another, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
- That we may have the courage to be faithful to the Second Vatican Council and be converted to its spirit, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
- That those who are troubled and afraid may find peace in the gospel of the Lord and become aware how near the Lord is, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
- That the Lord's disciples today may not extinguish the Spirit but learn to recognize him at work in the world and in the Church today, let us pray:R/ Lord, make your home with us.
- That our faith may be our peace, that the Lord's love may be our joy; that all our life may belong to him and that he make his home with us, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
Stay with us, Lord, send us your Spirit and show us the Father; be our Lord for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Loving Father,
as we are gathered around these gifts,
the Holy Spirit reminds us of Jesus' words:
"Do this in memory of me."
Show us your love and come with your Son
to make your home in each of us
and in our communities.
Do not let us be troubled or afraid,
Give us your peace and let us share it
with a divided and suffering world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
We can give thanks to the Father since Jesus our Lord is risen. He lives among us here and in his Church through the Holy Spirit to bring our thanks before the Father.
Invitation to the Lord's Prayer
Through the Spirit of understanding and love
let us pray to our Father in heaven
the prayer of Jesus our Lord: R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from our factions and division
and bring us together under the leadership
of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Let us share in the peace
of his caring and forgiving love
and save us from all anxiety,
for we are sure that he will bring us
to the source of living water,
for he is our Shepherd and Savior Jesus Christ:
R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus, the Lamb of God,
who continues to live among his people.
He invites those who love him
to keep his word and to eat his body.
R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
Our God and Father,
you and your Son Jesus make your home
with those who keep the word of Jesus.
He has spoken his word to us here
and we believe in it and love it
and will make it come true in our lives
by the power of the bread of life.
And should we forget it, let your Spirit remind us
and teach us to live by it with joy.
Let that word and your love bring us your peace.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
Jesus told us today:
"Those who love me will keep my word,"
that is, they will put my words into practice,
and will try their best to live as I lived.
May the Holy Spirit guide us
to help us live according to the Lord's gospel
and may almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ
and live in his presence. R/ Thanks be to God.
