Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Acts 15.7-21

When there had been much discussion,
Peter rose up and said to the Apostles and presbyters,
“Men, brothers,
you know that in the beginning days
God made a choice among you,
that by my mouth the Gentiles
should hear the word of the Gospel and believe.
God, who knows the heart,
testified to them,
by giving them the Holy Spirit,
just like he did to us.
He made no distinction
between us and them,
cleansing their hearts by faith.
Now therefore why do you tempt God,
that you should put a yoke
on the neck of the disciples
which neither our fathers
nor we were able to bear?
But we believe that we are saved
through the grace of the Lord Jesus,
just as they are.”

The whole crowd kept silence,
and they listened to Barnabas and Paul
reporting what signs and wonders
God had done among the nations through them.
After they were silent, James answered,
“Men, brothers, listen to me.
Simeon has reported
how God first visited the nations,
to take out of them
a people for his name.
This agrees with the words of the prophets.

As it is written,
‘After these things I will return.
I will again build the tent of David,
which has fallen.
I will again build its ruins.
I will set it up,
that the rest of humans may seek the Lord;
all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord,
who does all these things,
known from eternity.’

“Therefore my judgment
is that we do not trouble
those from among the Gentiles
who turn to God,
but that we write to them
that they abstain from the pollution of idols,
from sexual immorality,
from what is strangled and from blood.
For Moses from generations of old
has in every city those who preach him,
being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Responsorial – Psalm 96.1-2a, 2b-3, 10 Resp. 3

R. Declare God’s marvelous works among all the people. or R. Alleluia!

Sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord! Bless his name!

R. Declare God’s marvelous works among all the people. or R. Alleluia!

Proclaim his salvation from day to day!
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.

R. Declare God’s marvelous works among all the people. or R. Alleluia!

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
The world is also established. It cannot be moved.
He will judge the people with equity.

R. Declare God’s marvelous works among all the people. or R. Alleluia!

Gospel – John 15.9-11

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loved me,
I also loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments,
you will remain in my love;
even as I have kept my Father’s commandments,
and remain in his love.
I have spoken these things to you,
that my joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be complete.”