Daily Readings for May 16, 2018

1st READING

Paul reminds the Church leaders to be vigilant against the attacks of the devil. We must also be vigilant. Because we live in confusing times, it is difficult to accept and follow the Church’s teaching on morality, particularly on same-sex attraction, abortion, euthanasia, and other life issues. We need to uphold the dignity of life and the truth that God has created us male and female, in His own image and likeness. Let us pray for the grace to live this truth.

Acts 20:28-38

28 At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. 31 So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. 33 I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. 35 In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, 38 for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

P S A L M 

Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35, 35-36

R: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

28 [29] Show forth, O God, your power, the power, O God, with which you took our part; 29 [30] For your temple in Jerusalem let the kings bring you gifts. (R) 32 [33] You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, chant praise to the Lord 33 [34] who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens. Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power: 34 [35] “Confess the power of God!” (R) Over Israel is his majesty; his power is in the skies. 35 [36] Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. (R) 

GOSPEL 

Jesus prays for our protection from the evil one and his minions in the world. Let us also pray for each other’s protection. We can defeat the enemy if we fight him together. Let us also recognize the tireless work and prayers of the contemplative communities in the Church, work that is often unseen and forgotten. Through their prayers, the Church continues to thrive today.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

John 17:11-19

11 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. 12 When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. 14 I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 17 Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 19 And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”