The 25th of May, 2023 is Thursday in the Seventh Week of Easter. The Holy Bible verses for the mass readings for this day came from the Liturgical Calendar of the Year 2023.
Reading 1: ACTS 22:30; 23:6-11
The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!”
When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him into the barracks.
The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”
Responsorial Psalm: PS 16:1-2A and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
Response: Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
My soul, you have said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord.”
Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.
R: Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
R: Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety.
Nor you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
R: Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
R: Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.
Gospel of the Day: JN 17:20-26
From the gospel scripture according to John.
“Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
The glory which you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one, I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me.
Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.
I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Other Celebration
An optional celebration on this day is the Memorial of Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest and Doctor of the Church as well as Saint Gregory VII, Pope and Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, Virgin.