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SEVENTH
SUNDAY OF EASTER
ACTS 1:6-14
PSALM
68:1-10, 33-36
1
PETER 4:12-14; 5:6-11
JOHN
17:1-11
COLLECT
Almighty God,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven.
Mercifully give us faith to know
that, as he promised,
he abides with us on earth to the end of time;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
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A
READING FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS
So when they had come together, the apostles asked Jesus,
"Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to
Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the
times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and
you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they
were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their
sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven,
suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said,
"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?
This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come
in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Then they
returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near
Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the
city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying,
Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas,
Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the
Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting
themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary
the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
ACTS 1:6-14
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PSALM
REFRAIN Exalt him who rides upon the heavens.
Let
God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate
him flee before him.
Let
them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; as the wax
melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of
God. R
But
let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; let them also be
merry and joyful.
Sing
to God, sing praises to his name; exalt him who rides upon the
heavens; YAHWEH is his name, rejoice before him! R
Father
of orphans, defender of widows, God in his holy habitation!
God
gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom;
but the rebels shall live in dry places. R
O
God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched
through the wilderness,
The
earth shook, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of
God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
R
You
sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; you refreshed
the land when it was weary.
Your
people found their home in it; in your goodness, O God, you have
made provision for the poor. R
Sing
to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord.
He
rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; he sends forth his
voice, his mighty voice.
Ascribe
power to God; his majesty is over Israel; his strength is in the
skies.
How
wonderful is God in his holy places! the God of Israel giving
strength and power to his people! Blessed be God! R
PSALM 68:1-10, 33-36
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A
READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF PETER
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking
place among you to test you, as though something strange were
happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's
sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when
his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ,
you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit
of God, is resting on you. Humble yourselves therefore under the
mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all
your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline
yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the
devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him,
steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and
sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of
suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God
of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ,
will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To
him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
1 PETER 4:12-14; 5:6-11
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THE
HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
ACCORDING TO JOHN
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and
said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that
the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over
all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true
God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth
by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father,
glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your
presence before the world existed. I have made your name known to
those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you
gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that
everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you
gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and
know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that
you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on
behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me,
because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine;
and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the
world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy
Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that
they may be one, as we are one."
JOHN 17:1-11
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PRAYER
OVER THE GIFTS
Source of all joy,
receive our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
Keep us in the love of Christ
and bring us to the vision of his glory;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
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PRAYER
AFTER COMMUNION
Eternal God,
may we who share Christ's banquet
be one with him as he is one with you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,
the risen and ascended Lord.
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