Saturday of the Fourth week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles

On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us, 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the holy Spirit.

Psalms

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John

Jesus said to his disciples: “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.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.

St. Zita of Lucca(Virgin (1218-1278))

SAINT ZITA Virgin (1218-1278) Zita lived for 48 years in the service of Fatinelli, a citizen of Lucca. During this time, she rose each morning, while the household was asleep, to hear Mass, and then toiled till night came - doing the work of others as well as her own. Once, when she was absorbed in prayer, she remained in church past the usual hour of bread-making. She hastened home, reproaching herself, but found the bread already made and ready for the oven. She never doubted that her mistress or one of the servants had kneaded it. Going to them, she thanked them; but they were astonished: No one had made the bread. A delicious perfume rose from it because angels had made it during her prayers. Whenever Zita's master and mistress treated her as a mere drudge or her fellow-servants resented her diligence, Zita united these sufferings with those of Christ. She never changed the tone of her voice or forgot her gentle and quiet ways. At length, Fatinelli, seeing the success that attended Zita's undertakings, gave her charge of his children and the household. She was apprehensive at first, but scrupulously fulfilled her trust. By her holy economy, her master's goods were multiplied, while the poor were fed at his door. Gradually, her unfailing patience conquered the jealousy of her fellow-servants, and she became their advocate with their hot-tempered master, who dared not give way to his anger before Zita. In the end, her prayer and toil sanctified the household, and drew down upon it benediction from heaven. Zita passed away in 1278. At the moment of her death, a bright star appeared above her attic. Perhaps the angels who kneaded the bread were celebrating her eternal life.

St. Liberale()

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2024 / Catholic Missal of april 2024