MASS READING - Saturday 6 May 2017

Saturday of the 3rd week of Eastertide

Liturgical Colour: White.


Readings at Mass

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Entrance Antiphon
Col 2: 12

You have been buried with Christ in Baptism,
through which you also rose again
by faith in the working of God,
who raised him from the dead, alleluia.


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Collect

O God, who in the font of Baptism
have made new those who believe in you,
keep safe those reborn in Christ,
that, defeating every onslaught of error,
they may faithfully preserve the grace of your blessing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


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First reading
Acts 9:31-42

The churches throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now left in peace, building themselves up, living in the fear of the Lord, and filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
    Peter visited one place after another and eventually came to the saints living down in Lydda. There he found a man called Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you: get up and fold up your sleeping mat.’ Aeneas got up immediately; everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they were all converted to the Lord.
    At Jaffa there was a woman disciple called Tabitha, or Dorcas in Greek, who never tired of doing good or giving in charity. But the time came when she got ill and died, and they washed her and laid her out in a room upstairs. Lydda is not far from Jaffa, so when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men with an urgent message for him, ‘Come and visit us as soon as possible.’
    Peter went back with them straightaway, and on his arrival they took him to the upstairs room, where all the widows stood round him in tears, showing him tunics and other clothes Dorcas had made when she was with them. Peter sent them all out of the room and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to the dead woman and said, ‘Tabitha, stand up.’ She opened her eyes, looked at Peter and sat up. Peter helped her to her feet, then he called in the saints and widows and showed them she was alive. The whole of Jaffa heard about it and many believed in the Lord.


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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 115(116):12-17

How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?
or
Alleluia!

How can I repay the Lord
    for his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise;
    I will call on the Lord’s name.

How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?
or
Alleluia!

My vows to the Lord I will fulfil
    before all his people.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord
    is the death of his faithful.

How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?
or
Alleluia!

Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;
    you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;
    I will call on the Lord’s name.

How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?
or
Alleluia!


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Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!
We know that Christ is truly risen from the dead:
have mercy on us, triumphant King.
Alleluia!


Or
cf.Jn6:63,68

Alleluia, alleluia!
Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life;
you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!


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Gospel
John 6:60-69

After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?

‘It is the spirit that gives life,
the flesh has nothing to offer.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit
and they are life.

‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.
    Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’


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Prayer over the Offerings

Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray,
the offerings of your family,
that under your protective care
they may never lose what they have received,
but attain the gifts that are eternal.
Through Christ our Lord.


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Communion Antiphon
Jn 17: 20-21

Father, I pray for them, that they may be one in us,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me,
says the Lord, alleluia.


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Prayer after Communion

Keep safe, O Lord, we pray,
those whom you have saved by your kindness,
that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son,
they may rejoice in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.