Catholic Missal of the day: Friday, May 23 2025
Friday of the Fifth week of Easter
Acts of the Apostles
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. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
This is the letter delivered by them: "The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number (who went out) without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
'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. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"
And so they were sent on their journey. 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.
Psalms
57(56),8-9.10-12.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.
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!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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."
St. Desiderius(Bishop & Martyr (+ 608))
SAINT DESIDERIUS Bishop and Martyr (+ 608) St. Desiderius, also known as Didier, was born in Autun, Gaul. When he became the bishop of Vienne, his enforcement of strict clerical discipline, dismantling of simony, and denunciation of Queen Brunhildis' immoral court made him many enemies. Desiderius was denounced by the queen for paganism, but Pope Gregory the Great completely exonerated him. Bp. Desiderius was then banished by a synod organized by Brunhildis.He returned four years later, but was murdered by three followers of King Theodoric, whom he had publicly censured. St. Desiderius exemplified free speech, which is a pillar of Western Civilization. His sacrifice recalls these words from scripture: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (Jn. 12:24). We may take courage from the witness of the Lord and his servants: conforming our will and intellect to God.
St. William of Rochester()
Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2025 / Catholic Missal of may 2025
Published: 2025-04-26T18:50:41Z | Modified: 2025-04-26T18:50:41Z