Ant. I know him in whom I have believed
and I am confident he, just judge that he is,
is able to guard what has been entrusted
to me until that day.
READING Rom. 1: 16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God leading everyone who believes in it to salvation, the Jews first, then the Greek. For in the gospel is revealed the justice of God which begins and ends with faith; as Scripture says, “The just man will live by faith.”
V. To those spreading the good news the Lord gives the word
R. With great power
Midday
Ant. The Lord’s mercy
reproves, admonishes, teaches,
as a shepherd guides his flock.
READING 1 Th 2: 2-4
We drew courage from our God to preach his good tidings to you in the face of great opposition. The exhortation we deliver does not spring from deceit or impure motives or any sort of trickery; rather, having met the test imposed on us by God, as men entrusted with good tidings, we speak like those who strive to please God, “the tester of our hearts,”, rather than men.
V. They heard the decrees of God
R. And the law he gave them
Mid-afternoon
Ant. I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
READING 2 Tim 1: 8-9
With the strength which comes from God bear your share of the hardship which the gospel entails. God has saved us and has called us to a holy life, not because of any merit of ours but according to his own design – the grace held on us in Christ Jesus.
V. The favor of God to me has not proved fruitless
R. His grace is with me always.
Prayer
O God, who through the preaching of Saint Francis Xavier won many peoples for yourself, grant that the hearts of the faithful may burn with the same zeal for the faith, and that Holy Church may everywhere rejoice in abundant offspring. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
