First Reading
Acts 15:22-31
The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, leaders among the brothers. They delivered a letter stating:
“The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers of Gentile origin: greetings... We have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul... ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not 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."
Upon their arrival in Antioch, they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.
This is the word of the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 57:8-9, 10 and 12
R. (10a) I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord. (or: Alleluia.)
1. My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast; I will sing and chant praise. Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn.
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
2. I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD, I will chant your praise among the nations. For your mercy towers to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the skies. Be exalted above the heavens, O God; above all the earth be your glory!
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
Alleluia
John 15:15b
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
John 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. "You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
R. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.