Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

1st Reading – ACTS 15:22-31

Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.

Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting.

Forasmuch as we have heard, that some going out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment:

It has seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose out men, and to send them unto you, with our well beloved Barnabas and Paul:

Men that have given their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things.

For it has seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things:

That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which things keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.

They therefore being dismissed, went down to Antioch; and gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle.

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

 

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 57:8-9, 10-12

R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.

R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!

R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

 

Alleluia – John 15:15B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I call you my friends, says the Lord,
For I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel – John 15:12-17

Jesus said to his disciples: This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.

Greater love than this no man has, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you.

I will not now call you servants: for the servant knows not what his lord does. But I have called you friends: because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you.

You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

These things I command you, that you love one another.