Reading 1,Ā Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

15Ā One day Peter stood up to speak to the brothers — there were about a hundred and twenty people in the congregation,

16Ā ‘Brothers,’ he said, ‘the passage ofĀ scriptureĀ had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit, speaking through David, foretells theĀ fateĀ of Judas, who acted as guide to the men who arrested Jesus-

17Ā after being one of our number and sharing our ministry.

20Ā Now in the Book ofĀ PsalmsĀ it says: Reduce his encampment to ruin and leave his tent unoccupied. And again: Let someone else take over his office.

21Ā ‘Out of the men who have been with us the wholeĀ timeĀ that theĀ LordĀ JesusĀ was living with us,

22Ā from theĀ timeĀ whenĀ JohnĀ was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us, one must be appointed to serve with us as aĀ witnessĀ to his resurrection.’

23Ā Having nominated two candidates,Ā JosephĀ known as Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias,

24Ā they prayed, ‘Lord, you can read everyone’s heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen

25Ā to take over this ministry and apostolate, which Judas abandoned to go to his proper place.’

26Ā They then drew lots for them, and as theĀ lotĀ fell to Matthias, he was listed as one of the twelve apostles.

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Responsorial Psalm,Ā Psalms 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

1Ā Alleluia! Praise, servants of Yahweh, praise the name of Yahweh.

2Ā Blessed be the name of Yahweh, henceforth and for ever.

3Ā From the rising of the sun to its setting, praised be the name of Yahweh!

4Ā Supreme over all nations is Yahweh, supreme over the heavens his glory.

5Ā Who is likeĀ YahwehĀ our God? HisĀ throneĀ is set on high,

6Ā but he stoops to look down onĀ heavenĀ and earth.

7Ā He raises the poor from the dust, he lifts the needy from the dunghill,

8Ā to give them a place among princes, among princes of his people.

Gospel,Ā John 15:9-17

9Ā I have loved you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.

10Ā If you keep my commandments youĀ willĀ remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

11Ā I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete.

12Ā This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.

13Ā No one can have greater love than to lay down hisĀ lifeĀ for his friends.

14Ā You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

15Ā I shall no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.

16Ā You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit thatĀ willĀ last; so that the FatherĀ willĀ give you anything you ask him in my name.

17Ā My command to you is to love one another.