Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 1, 2016)

Reading 1 rel= href= and//www.usccb.org/bible/acts/15:1 Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,you cannot be saved.”Because there arose no little dissension and debateby Paul and Barnabas with them,it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the othersshould go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and eldersabout this question.The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,decided to choose representativesand to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,and Silas, leaders among the brothers.This is the letter delivered by themand The apostles and the elders, your brothers,to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Ciliciaof Gentile originand greetings.Since we have heard that some of our numberwho went out without any mandate from ushave upset you with their teachingsand disturbed your peace of mind,we have with one accord decided to choose representativesand to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.So we are sending Judas and Silaswho will also convey this same message by word of mouthand‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of usnot to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,from blood, from meats of strangled animals,and from unlawful marriage.If you keep free of these,you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”

Responsorial Psalm rel= href= and//www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67and2 Ps 67and2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!orandR. Alleluia.May God have pity on us and bless usmay he let his face shine upon us.So may your way be known upon earthamong all nations, your salvation. R. O God, let all the nations praise you! orand R. Alleluia. May the nations be glad and exultbecause you rule the peoples in equitythe nations on the earth you guide.R. O God, let all the nations praise you!orandR. Alleluia.May the peoples praise you, O Godmay all the peoples praise you!May God bless us,and may all the ends of the earth fear him! R. O God, let all the nations praise you! orand R. Alleluia. Reading 2 rel= href= and//www.usccb.org/bible/revelation/21:10 Rev 21:10-14, 22-23

The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountainand showed me the holy city Jerusalemcoming down out of heaven from God.It gleamed with the splendor of God.Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,like jasper, clear as crystal.It had a massive, high wall,with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationedand on which names were inscribed,the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.There were three gates facing east,three north, three south, and three west.The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,on which were inscribed the twelve namesof the twelve apostles of the Lamb.I saw no temple in the cityfor its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,for the glory of God gave it light,and its lamp was the Lamb. Alleluia rel= href= and//www.usccb.org/bible/john/14:23 Jn 14:23

R. Alleluia, alleluia.Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,and my Father will love him and we will come to him.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel rel= href= and//www.usccb.org/bible/john/14:23 Jn 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciplesand Whoever loves me will keep my word,and my Father will love him,and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.Whoever does not love me does not keep my wordsyet the word you hear is not minebut that of the Father who sent me. I have told you this while I am with you.The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,whom the Father will send in my name,will teach you everythingand remind you of all that I told you.Peace I leave with you my peace I give to you.Not as the world gives do I give it to you.Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.You heard me tell you,‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’If you loved me,you would rejoice that I am going to the Fatherfor the Father is greater than I.And now I have told you this before it happens,so that when it happens you may believe.”