Wisdom 2:12-20; John 12

Memorial of Bl. Benedict Daswa – Martyr
Readings are from the Common of Martyrs and Antiphons on p. 1897 of the Daily Missal.

Entrance Antiphon.

Perpetual light will shine on your Saints, O Lord, and life without end for ever, alleluia.

First Reading: Wisdom 2:12-20

A reading from the Book of Wisdom.

“Let us lie in wait for the righteous man,
because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions;
he reproaches us for sins against the law,
and accuses us of sins against our training.
He professes to have knowledge of God
and calls himself a child of the Lord.
He became to us a reproof of our thoughts;
the very sight of him is a burden to us,
because his manner of life is unlike that of others,
and his ways are strange.
We are considered by him as something base,
and he avoids our ways as unclean;
he calls the last end of the righteous happy
and boasts that God is his father.
Let us see if his words are true,
and let us test what will happen at the end of his life;
for if the righteous man is God’s son, he will help him,
and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries.
Let us test him with insult and torture,
that we may find out how gentle he is,
and make trial of his forbearance.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death,
for, according to what he says, he will be protected.”

The Word of the Lord.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 71:1-2.3-4a.5-6ab.15ab and 17 (R. see 15ab)

Let us now pray the Responsorial Psalm:

R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, rescue me, free me;
incline your ear to me and save me.

Be my rock, my constant refuge,
a mighty stronghold to save me,
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
My God, free me from the hand of the wicked.

It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
On you I have leaned from my birth;
from my mother’s womb, you have been my help.
At all times I will give you praise

My mouth will tell of your justice,
and all the day long of your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and I proclaim your wonders still.

R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Reading: Ephesians 6: 10-17

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.

Brothers and sisters:
Finally, be strong in the Lord
and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we are not contending against flesh and blood,
but against the principalities,
against the powers,
against the world rulers of this present darkness,
against the spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places.
Therefore take the whole armour of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore,
having fastened the belt of truth around your waist,
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet
with the equipment of the gospel of peace;
above all taking the shield of faith,
with which you can quench
all the flaming darts of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.

The Word of the Lord.

Please stand for the Gospel

Alleluia, Alleluia
The Lord has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives.
Alleluia.

 

Gospel: John 12:24-26

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

Truly, truly, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it remains alone;
but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
The person who loves his life loses it,
and the person who hates his life in this world
will keep it for eternal life.
If anyone serves me, he must follow me;
and where I am, there shall my servant be also;
if anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Communion Antiphon.
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the round and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies, it produces much fruit, alleluia.