Readings

First Reading Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 (JB) A reading from the Acts of the Apostles We are witnesses of these words, and so is the Holy Spirit. The high priest demanded an explanation of the apostles. ‘We gave you a formal warning,’ he said ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You…

First Reading Acts 5:12-16 (JB) A reading from the Acts of the Apostles The numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily. The faithful all used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon. No one else ever dared to join them, but the people were loud…

First Reading Acts 10:34, 37-43 (JB) A reading from the Acts of the Apostles We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead. Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John…

First Reading Isaiah 50:4-7 (JB) A reading from the prophet Isaiah I did not cover my face against insult and I know I will not be ashamed. The Lord has given me a disciple’s tongue. So that I may know how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech. Each morning he wakes…

First Reading Isaiah 43:16-21 (Year C) (JB) A reading from the prophet Isaiah I am doing a new thing and I will give drink to my people. Thus says the Lord, who made a way through the sea, a path in the great waters; who put chariots and horse in the field and a powerful…

First Reading Joshua 5:9-12 (Year C) (JB) A reading from the book of Joshua The people of God went to the promised land and there kept the passover. The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I have taken the shame of Egypt away from you.’ The Israelites pitched their camp at Gilgal and kept the Passover…

First Reading Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15 (Year C) (JB) A reading from the book of Exodus This is what you must say to the children of Israel: I Am has sent me to you. Moses was looking after the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, priest of Midian. He led his flock to the far side of…

First Reading Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 (JB) A reading from the book of Genesis God made a covenant with Abraham, his faithful servant. Taking Abram outside the Lord said, ‘Look up to heaven and count the stars if you can. Such will be your descendants’ he told him. Abram put his faith in the Lord, who…

First Reading Deuteronomy 26:4-10 (JB) A reading from the book of Deuteronomy The confession of faith of the elect. Moses said to the people: ‘The priest shall take the pannier from your hand and lay it before the altar of the Lord your God. Then, in the sight of the Lord your God, you must…

First Reading Sirach 27:4-7 (JB) A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus Do not praise someone before they have spoken. In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind, so too the defects of a man appear in his talk. The kiln tests the work of the potter, the test of a man is in…