Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White. Year: A(II).

First reading	Acts 16:22-34

‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’

In those days: The crowd of Philippians joined in attacking Paul and Silas, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them, the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds; and he was baptised at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

How to listen

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 138(137):1-2a. 2b-3. 3. 7c-8. ℟3a

With your right hand you save me, Lord.

or: Alleluia.

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;

you have heard the words of my mouth.

In the presence of the angels I praise you.

I bow down towards your holy Temple.

With your right hand you save me, Lord.

or: Alleluia.

I give thanks to your name

for your merciful love and your faithfulness.

For you have exalted over all

your name and your promise.

On the day I called, you answered me;

you increased the strength of my soul.

With your right hand you save me, Lord.

or: Alleluia.

With your right hand you save me;

the Lord will accomplish this for me.

O Lord, your merciful love is eternal;

discard not the work of your hands.

With your right hand you save me, Lord.

or: Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation
Cf. John 16:7, 13

Alleluia, alleluia.

I will send you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord,

he will guide you into all the truth.

Alleluia.

Gospel	John 16:5-11

‘If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, “Where are you going?” But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.’

You can also view this page with the New Testament in Greek and English.

Christian Art

Each day, The Christian Art website gives a picture and reflection on the Gospel of the day.

The readings on this page are from the English Standard Version, which is used at Mass in Great Britain. The Jerusalem Bible (which is used at Mass in much of the English-speaking world) will appear instead if you set this page to use a calendar from outside Great Britain. The New American Bible readings, which are used at Mass in the United States, are available in the Universalis apps, programs and downloads.