wednesday 01 st June 2022
St. Justin, Martyr
(165)
Justin was converted from a pagan philosopher to Christianity. He then became the most illustrious opponent of pagan philosophers. He died in 165.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 118: 85, 46
The wicked have told me lies, but not so is your law: I spoke of your decrees before kings, and was not confounded, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who through the folly of the Cross wondrously taught Saint Justin the Martyr the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, grant us, through his intercession, that, having rejected deception and error, we may become steadfast in the faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 20:28-38
Paul addressed these words to the elders of the Church of Ephesus: ‘Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone, fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard, remembering how night and day for three years I never failed to keep you right, shedding tears over each one of you. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace that has power to build you up and to give you your inheritance among all the sanctified. ‘I have never asked anyone for money or clothes; you know for yourselves that the work I did earned enough to meet my needs and those of my companions. I did this to show you that this is how we must exert ourselves to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”’ When he had finished speaking he knelt down with them all and prayed. By now they were all in tears; they put their arms round Paul’s neck and kissed him; what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
Psalm 67:29-30,33-36
R/ Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
I Show forth, O God, show forth your might, your might, O God, which you have shown for us. For the sake of your temple high in Jerusalem may kings come to you bringing their tribute.
- Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, praise the Lord who rides on the heavens, the ancient heavens. He thunders his voice, his mighty voice. Come, acknowledge the power of God.
- His glory is on Israel; his might is in the skies. God is to be feared in his holy place. He is the Lord, Israel’s God. He gives strength and power to his people. Blessed be God!
Gospel Acclamation : Mt28:19,20
Alleluia, alleluia! Go, make disciples of all the nations. I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 17:11-19
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the Scriptures. But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full. I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth.As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant us, we pray, O Lord, that we may celebrate worthily these mysteries, which Saint Justin strenuously defended. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. 1 Cor 2: 2
I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Refreshed by heavenly food, we humbly implore you, O Lord, that, attentive to the teaching of Saint Justin the Martyr, we may abide at all times in thanksgiving for the gifts we have received. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus asks for three things for his disciples in today’s gospel. That god should keep them united, sanctify them with his word of truth, and preserve them from all evil. In a world in crisis of unity, and driven by divisions of all kinds, it is incumbent upon us as followers of christ to be icons of communion and unity. We are encouraged to live without cultural, linguistic and racial divides, to be one in christ, the word of god made flesh to whom we have been consecrated since our baptism, and to commit ourselves to be infallible witnesses to the truth which is none other than himself.