Catholic Ireland
Liturgical Readings for : Wednesday, 1st May, 2024
Wednesday, Fifth Week of Easter
May 1: Optional memorial of St Joseph the Worker
(Suggested readings for the memorial below today’s readings)
FIRST READING
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 15:1-6
It was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and others of the church should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders.
Some men came down from Judaea and taught the brothers,
‘Unless you have yourselves circumcised in the tradition of Moses you cannot be saved.’
This led to disagreement, and after Paul and Barnabas had had a long argument with these men it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and others of the church should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders.
All the members of the church saw them off, and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria they told how the pagans had been converted, and this news was received with the greatest satisfaction by the brothers. When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church and by the apostles and elders, and gave an account of all that God had done with them.
But certain members of the Pharisees’ party who had become believers objected, insisting that the pagans should be circumcised and instructed to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders met to look into the matter.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Ps 121
Response I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
Or Alleluia!
1. I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’
And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Response
2. Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. Response
3. For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgement of the house of David. Response
Gospel Acclamation Jn 10: 14
Alleluia, Alleluia!
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord, I know my sheep and my own know me.
Alleluia!
or Jn 15:4-5
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me bears fruit in plenty.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 15:1-8 Glory to you, O Lord
Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty.
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more. You are pruned already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself, but must remain part of the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers; these branches are collected and thrown on the fire, and they are burnt.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask what you will and you shall get it. It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit, and then you will be my disciples.’
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel Reflection Wednesday, Fifth Week of Easter John 15:1-8
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus speaks frequently about the importance of the disciples bearing fruit. From what Jesus goes on to say, it is clear that the fruit Jesus is referring to is the fruit of love, a life of love that reflects Jesus’ love for his disciples, for all of us, and for humanity. Jesus makes clear in our gospel reading that such a life of love flows from our communion with him, just as fruit on the branches of a vine are due to the branches being in communion with the vine. If the branches are separated from the vine, the fruit will wither. In the same way, Jesus says, ‘cut off from me you can do nothing’.
Jesus stresses the importance of a certain way of life, a life of love, but he suggests that even more important is our communion with him and his communion with us. His primary call is not to bear the fruit of love but to make our home in him, as he makes his home in us. In becoming flesh, Jesus made himself at home with us; he looks to us to make ourselves at home with him. As he has cultivated his communion with us, we are to cultivate our communion with him. It is this intimate relationship with the Lord that empowers our lives to bear the fruit of love. It is only in and through our communion with the Lord that we can come to love one another as he has loved us, and it is such a way of life that gives glory to God the Father.
___________________________
The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd.
*******************************************
(May 1: Optional memorial of St Joseph the Worker Mass Readings)
FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Genesis 1:26-2:3
God the Supreme Worker creates the world
God said:
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.”
God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying:
“Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.
Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.”
God also said:
“See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth
and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it
to be your food; and to all the animals of the land,
all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground,
I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened.
God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed.
Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing,
God rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work his work of creating.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
(Alternative First Reading)
A reading from the second letter of St Paul to the Col0ssians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24
Brothers and sisters:
Over all these things put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive from the Lord
the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.
The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 90: 2,3-4,12-13,14 and 16
Response Lord, give success to the work of our hands.
1. Before the mountains were begotten and the earth and the world were brought forth,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Response
2. Lord, give success to the work of our hands. You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night. Response
3. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! Response
4. Fill us at daybreak with your kindness that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Let your work be seen by your servants, and your glory by their children. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 68:20
Alleluia, Alleluia
Blessed be the Lord, day after day, he bears our burdens, God our saviour
Alleluia
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 13:54-58 Glory to you, O Lord.
This is the carpenter’s son, surely?
Jesus came to his home town and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said,
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?”
And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honour except in his native place and in his own house.”
And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
****************************
