5th Sunday of Easter, Year A. MASS PRAYERS AND READINGS.

5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR A HOLY MASS

5th Sunday of Easter, Year A. MASS PRAYERS AND READINGS.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders; in the sight of the nations he has shown his deliverance, alleluia.

[–» Greeting]
The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said.

COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the paschal mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism, may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. Through our Lord.

READINGS FOR YEAR A (2020, 2023, 2026)

READING I
Acts of the Apostles 6:1–7

As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Exult, you just, in the Lord;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the Lord on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R.

Upright is the word of the Lord,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
R.

See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
to deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R.

READING II
1 Pt 2:4-9

Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. 
You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

ALLELUIA
I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me.

GOSPEL
John 14:1–12

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.

For today’s Sunday reflection, see
https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.org/5th-sunday-of-easter-reflection-year-a-i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life/

The Creed is said.

Universal Prayer

Priest’s Introduction
Dear brothers and sisters, filled with paschal joy, let us pray more earnestly to God that he, who graciously listened to the prayers and supplications of his beloved Son, may now be pleased to look upon us in our lowliness.
Intentions

1. For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd, let us pray to the Lord.
2. For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace given by Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
3. For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness which no one can take from them, let us pray to the Lord.
4. For our own community, that it may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, let us pray to the Lord.

Priest’s Prayer
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you; and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

[–»  Offertory]

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
O God, who by the wonderful exchange effected in this sacrifice have made us partakers of the one supreme Godhead, grant, we pray, that as we have come to know your truth, we may make it ours by a worthy way of life. Through Christ our Lord.

[–» Eucharistic Prayer]
[–» Preface of Easter]

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
I am the true vine and you are the branches, says the Lord; whoever remains in me, and I in them, bears much fruit, alleluia.

[–» Communion]

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord.
[–» Concluding Rite] 
 
A formula of Solemn Blessing may be used.