MASS READING - Tuesday 2 May 2017

Tuesday of the 3rd week of Eastertide
 (Saint Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor )

Liturgical Colour: White.


Readings at Mass

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Entrance Antiphon
Cf. Sir 15: 5

In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth,
and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding
and clothed him in a robe of glory, alleluia.


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Collect

Almighty ever-living God,
who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius
as an outstanding champion of your Son’s divinity,
mercifully grant,
that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection,
we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you.
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 7:51-8:1

Stephen said to the people, the elders and the scribes: ‘You stubborn people, with your pagan hearts and pagan ears. You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Can you name a single prophet your ancestors never persecuted? In the past they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, and now you have become his betrayers, his murderers. You who had the Law brought to you by angels are the very ones who have not kept it.’
    They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at him.
    But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. ‘I can see heaven thrown open’ he said ‘and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this all the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; then they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and said aloud, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’; and with these words he fell asleep. Saul entirely approved of the killing.


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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 30(31):3-4,6,8,17,21

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or
Alleluia!

Be a rock of refuge for me,
    a mighty stronghold to save me,
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
    For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or
Alleluia!

Into your hands I commend my spirit.
    It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
As for me, I trust in the Lord:
    let me be glad and rejoice in your love.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or
Alleluia!

Let your face shine on your servant.
    Save me in your love.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence
    from the plotting of men.

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
or
Alleluia!


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Gospel Acclamation
Jn10:14

Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my own sheep and my own know me.
Alleluia!


Or
Jn6:35

Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the bread of life, says the Lord.
He who comes to me will never be hungry;
he who believes in me will never thirst.
Alleluia!


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Gospel
John 6:30-35

The people said to Jesus, ‘What sign will you give to show us that we should believe in you? What work will you do? Our fathers had manna to eat in the desert; as scripture says: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Jesus answered:

‘I tell you most solemnly,
it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven,
it is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven,
the true bread;
for the bread of God
is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.’

‘Sir,’ they said ‘give us that bread always.’ Jesus answered:

‘I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never be hungry;
he who believes in me will never thirst.’


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Prayer over the Offerings

Look, O Lord, upon the offerings we present to you
in commemoration of Saint Athanasius,
and may witnessing to your truth
bring salvation to those
who profess the same unblemished faith as him.
Through Christ our Lord.


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Communion Antiphon
1 Cor 3: 11

No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there,
namely, Jesus Christ, alleluia.


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Prayer after Communion

Grant us, we pray, almighty God,
that the true divinity of your Only Begotten Son,
which we firmly profess with Saint Athanasius,
may, through this Sacrament, ever give us life and protection.
Through Christ our Lord.