Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

1st Reading – ACTS 20:28-38

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 bishops, to rule the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore watch, keeping in memory, that for three years I ceased not, with tears to admonish every one of you night and day.

And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build up, and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified.

I have not coveted any man’s silver, gold, or apparel.

You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions.

I have shown you all things 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 a more blessed thing to give, rather than to receive.’

And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with them all.

And there was much weeping among them all; and falling on the neck of Paul, they kissed him, for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

 

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 68:29-30, 33-35A, 35BC-36AB

R.(33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Show forth, O God, your power,
the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem
let the kings bring you gifts.

R. Sing to God, O Kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
“Confess the power of God!”

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

Over Israel is his majesty;
his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.

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

 

Allelluia – SEE John 17:17B, 17A

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

 

Gospel – John 17:11B-19

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:

Holy Father, keep them in your name whom you have given me; that they may be one, as we also are.

While I was with them, I kept them in your name. Those whom you gave me have I kept; and none of them is lost, except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

And now I come to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy filled in themselves.

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.

I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One.

They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world.

Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth.

As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.

And for them do I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.