The 7th of May, 2023 is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar Year 2023.
Reading 1: ACTS 6:1-7
The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch, whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Response: Let your loving kindness be on us, Yahweh, since we have hoped in you.
Rejoice in Yahweh, you righteous! Praise is fitting for the upright.
Give thanks to Yahweh with the lyre. Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.
R: Let your loving kindness be on us, Yahweh, since we have hoped in you.
For Yahweh’s word is right. All his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh.
R: Let your loving kindness be on us, Yahweh, since we have hoped in you.
Behold, Yahweh’s eye is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his loving kindness, to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in famine.
R: Let your loving kindness be on us, Yahweh, since we have hoped in you.
Reading 2: 1 PT 2:4-9
The second reading from the Letter of Saint Peter.
Come to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.
You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious. He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and, “a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Gospel of the Day: JN 14:1-12
From the gospel scripture according to John.
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.
If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.
You know where I go, and you know the way.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.”
