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Sacred Heart Cathedral,New Delhi, Delhi (2026)

23/05/2026

MASS SCHEDULE FROM 24.05.2026 TO 30.05.2026.

22/05/2026

Daily Readings
May 23, 2026
Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter - Mass in the Morning

Reading 1
Acts 28:16–20, 30–31

When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar – though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain. He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7

Response: The upright shall behold your face, O Lord.

The Lord is in his holy temple;
the throne of the Lord is in heaven.
His eyes behold the world;
his gaze probes the children of men.

Response: The upright shall behold your face, O Lord.

The Lord inspects the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
For the Lord is just and loves deeds of justice;
the upright shall behold his face.

Response: The upright shall behold your face, O Lord.

Alleluia
John 16:7, 13
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I will send the Spirit of truth to you, says the Lord; he will guide you into all the truth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 21:20–25

At that time: Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Reflection

Peter has been firmly established as a shepherd of the flock. He is literally following Jesus, for he walks behind, and he sees the beloved disciple also following him. Peter is the chief shepherd, but it is not his right alone to follow Jesus. He questions Jesus about the future of the other disciple. His question is answered by Jesus when He says that if another disciple follows Jesus, Peter has nothing to do with it. He has been given the duty as the chief shepherd, and it is enough that he fulfils that role. As for the beloved disciple, he is also a prominent person among the disciples and he has his own role and importance. In fact, during the passion, he emerged as much prominent as Peter, who denied Jesus, and Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to the beloved disciple. The lesson we need to learn is that everybody has the right to follow Jesus and be saved by Him.

Saint John Baptist De Rossi (Confessor) (1698 -1764)

This Roman Priest, coming from an impoverished family and educated with aid from benefactors, was attracted especially to the apostolate among the herdsmen, labourers and teamsters of the Roman Campagna and would preach to them in the early morning or late evening when they congregated in the Campo Vaccino. The remainder of the day he spent visiting the sick poor in the hospital of St Galla, and near it in 1731 he established a refuge for the unfortunates who wandered the streets by night.

Due to occasional epileptic spells, resulting from excessive mortifications while a student of philosophy and theology with the Dominicans—he was ordained by special dispensation on 8 March 1721—he never dared to hear confessions himself; however, while convalescing in Civita Castellana in 1738, the local bishop insisted on his taking up that pastoral ministry too, and in this he proved himself so effective that he was given the unusual faculty of hearing confessions in any church in Rome. Thenceforth he spent many hours a day hearing confessions particularly of prisoners, the poor and illiterate in the hospitals or in their homes.

Born on 22 February 1698 at Voltaggio (Geneva), Italy, John Baptist de Rossi passed away in Rome on 23 May 1764 and was buried at the altar of the Blessed Virgin in the Church of Trinita de Pelleghrini. Beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1860, he was canonized by Pope Leo XIII on 8 December 1881.

Reflection: “To deserve Paradise, we must work without intermission” (St John Baptist de Rossi).

21/05/2026

Daily Readings
May 22, 2026
Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Reading 1
Acts 25:13b–21

In those days: Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defence concerning the charge laid against him. So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.”

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103:1–2, 11–12, 19–20ab

Response: The Lord has fixed his throne in heaven.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all within me, his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and never forget all his benefits.

Response: The Lord has fixed his throne in heaven.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so strong his mercy for those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far from us does he remove our transgressions.

Response: The Lord has fixed his throne in heaven.

The Lord has fixed his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom is ruling over all.
Bless the Lord, all you his angels,
mighty in power, fulfilling his word.

Response: The Lord has fixed his throne in heaven.

Alleluia
John 14:26
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 21:15–19

When [Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and] they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.

Reflection

After the breakfast on the shore, Jesus turns to Peter and asks him if he loves Him more than the others do. Peter responds and declares his love for Jesus. The threefold questioning of Jesus to Peter whether he loves Him matches the threefold denial of Peter. The denial of Peter brought pain to Jesus, and the threefold questioning brings pain to Peter. Jesus then hands over the mantle of authority to Peter. Peter is charged to shepherd and feed the lambs and sheep of Jesus. All pastors like Peter are challenged to repeat the relationship Jesus had with the flock. The denials are overcome, and he has wholeheartedly committed himself to the way of the Good Shepherd. Peter eventually became the chief shepherd, and he too died on the cross, thus imitating even in Jesus’ death.

Saint Rita of Cascia Widow (1381-1457)

Margherita (Rita), at 18, desired to become an Augustinian nun but meekly married in deference to her parents’ wishes. Deriding Rita’s piety her quarrelsome husband, Paul, inflicted tremendous suffering on her by his drunken rages. Her fervent prayers, severe penances and loving visits to the poor and the sick so touched God’s heart that He granted her husband the grace of a complete conversion. When a few years later he was found stabbed to death on a mountain path, Rita’s grief in that sad hour was intensified by an anxiety over the fate of his soul even as she strove to forgive the murderer from her heart. Not so, however, her two sons who, on growing to boyhood, caused her grave concern by their wayward lives, determined to avenge their father’s death. In response to Rita’s plea, God took them to Himself within a year, rather than permit them to commit such a sin.

Now 30, Rita’s original desire to enter the convent resurfaced but she was refused on account of convent rules permitting the entry only of virgins until God indicated His express wishes by a miracle: during the Assumption Vigil, arrived her three patron saints, Augustine, John the Baptist and Nicholas of Tolentino who, conducting her to Cascia, placed her at the foot of the Blessed Sacrament in the convent chapel where the nuns found her at Matins. The untouched locks on the convent doors convinced them to accept the truthfulness of her simple explanation.

Canonized in 1900, the innumerable favours obtained through her intercession in desperate cases since her death in 1457 have procured for her the title of the “Saint of the Impossible”.

Reflection: “Being poor, and caring little for our physical needs, rather, having no regards for ourselves, helps immensely in restraining our sensuality” (St Rita of Cascia).

20/05/2026

Daily Readings
May 21, 2026
Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Reading 1
Acts 22:30; 23:6–11

In those days: Desiring to know the real reason why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the tribune unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the Council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the Council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. Then a great clamour arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

Responsorial Psalm
ShaPsalm 16:1–2a and 5, 7–8, 9–10, 11

Response: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
you yourself who secure my lot.

Response: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord before me always;
with him at my right hand,
I shall not be moved.

Response: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

And so, my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my flesh shall rest in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to hell,
nor let your holy one see corruption.

Response: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand, bliss forever.

Response: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Alleluia
John 17:21
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

May they all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, so that the world may believe that you have sent me, says the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 17:20–26

At that time: [Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and prayed, saying,] “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Reflection

After having prayed for the disciples, Jesus looks beyond the circle of the disciples and prays for those who will believe because of the disciples. Jesus wants all believers to be one, imitating the unity of the Father in Jesus and Jesus in the Father. It is Jesus’ hope that the result of this oneness will be that the world will believe that the Father has sent Jesus. This helps us to reflect on the theme of unity among Churches. We should continue to pray for unity among Christians, which is much desired by Jesus. In all these, Jesus’ intention is to give some share in the glory which the Father has given Him. A beautiful conclusion is that Jesus wants His disciples to be where He is – sharing in the glory that He enjoys.

Saint Cristóbal Magallanes Jara (Priest, Martyr) (1869 – 1927)

Saint Cristóbal Magallanes Jara, also known as Christopher Magallanes was killed without trial on the way to say Mass during the Cristero War after the trumped up charge of inciting rebellion.

He was born in Totatiche, Jalisco, Mexico on July 30, 1869. He worked as a shepherd in his youth and enrolled in the Conciliar Seminary of San José in Guadalajara at the age of 19

Cristóbal was ordained at the age of 30 at Santa Teresa in Guadalajara in 1899 and served as chaplain of the School of Arts and Works of the Holy Spirit in Guadalajara. He was then designated as the parish priest for his home town of Totatiche, where he helped found schools and carpentry shops and assisted in planning for hydrological works, including the dam of La Candelaria. He took special interest in the evangelization of the local indigenous Huichol people and was instrumental in the foundation of the mission in the indigenous town of Azqueltán.

Magallanes wrote and preached against armed rebellion, but was falsely accused of promoting the Cristero Rebellion in the area. Arrested on May 21, 1927, while en route to celebrate Mass at a farm, he gave away his few remaining possessions to his ex*****oners, gave them absolution, and without a trial, he was killed four days later with Agustín Caloca in Colotlán, Jalisco. His last words to his ex*****oners were "I die innocent, and ask God that my blood may serve to unite my Mexican brethren."

19/05/2026

Daily Readings
May 20, 2026
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Reading 1
Acts 20:28–38

In those days: Paul said to the elders of the Church of Ephesus, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 68:29–30, 33–35a, 35b–36c

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Summon forth your might, O God;
your might, O God, which you have shown for us.
From your temple high in Jerusalem,
kings will come to you bringing their tribute.

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
praise the Lord
who rides on the heavens, the ancient heavens.
Behold, he thunders his voice, his mighty voice.
Come, acknowledge the power of God.

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

His glory is on Israel; his might is in the skies.
Awesome is God in his holy place.
He is God, the God of Israel.
He himself gives strength and power
to his people.

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Alleluia
John 17:17b, 17a
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Your word, O Lord, is truth; sanctify us in the truth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 17:11b–19

At that time: [Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and prayed, saying,] “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.

Reflection

We pray because we are fully confident that God will hear our prayers and answer them. However gloomy the situation, our prayers can be positive and other-oriented, which is what we notice in Jesus’ prayer. Jesus is facing death threats from which He sees no escape. And yet Jesus places His full trust in His Father who will look after the disciples whom He leaves behind. He tells His Father with confidence that He has taught, nurtured, and protected the disciples whom the Father has given Him. No one is lost except the one who chose to be lost. The disciples have to live in the world but not according to worldly standards, but according to the standards Jesus has set for them. Jesus asks the Father that the disciples may not be led astray or come under the influence of the evil forces.

Saint Bernardine of Siena, Confessor (1380 -1444)

Orphaned early in life Bernardine was brought up by a maternal aunt in self-discipline in an atmosphere that fostered an ardent love for God in him. At 17 he joined the ascetical “Confraternity of Our Lady” which was attached to the famed hospital of Siena for the relief of the sick and the poor. When the plague broke out in the city during the Jubilee year 1400, he, with 12 young friends, voluntarily ran the overcrowded and understaffed hospital for four months, bringing hope and succour as much by his singular cheerfulness and sympathy as by his charitable ministrations. Two years later he distributed his inheritance among the poor and joined the strict Franciscan Observantines.

People, by the thousands, flocked to attend his early Mass in an open square, after which he would preach penance and propagate devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. A series of 45 sermons, embracing every topic from the dignity of man, Christian moral education, sanctification of the family and desirability of peace to the proper ethics to be observed in business and government, held on consecutive days and sometimes lasting three or four hours, and each taken down verbatim by a regular listener, has come down to us together with his amusing anecdotes and jokes, all timeless in charm and freshness.

When Bernardine was Vicar General of the Observants, they were said to have grown during his lifetime from 130 friars to 4,000. The numerous miracles that followed his death led to his canonization in 1450.

Reflection: “In all your actions see in the first place the Kingdom of God and his glory; persevere in brotherly charity, and practise first all that you desire to teach others” (St Bernardine of Siena).

18/05/2026

Daily Readings
May 19, 2026
Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Reading 1
Acts 20:17-27

In those days: From Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance towards God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God. (Or Alleluia)

You poured down, O God, a generous rain;
when your people languished, you restored their inheritance.
It was there that your flock began to dwell.
In your goodness, O God, you provided
for the poor.

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God. (Or Alleluia)

Day after day, may the Lord be blest.
He bears our burdens;
God is our saviour.
This God of ours is a God who saves.
The Lord our Lord provides an escape
from death.

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God. (Or Alleluia)

Alleluia
John 14:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I will ask the Father, and he will give you give you another Helper, to be with you for ever.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 17:1-11a

At that time: Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.”

Reflection

After His farewell discourse, Jesus turns to prayer. He asks His Father to glorify Him so that He may glorify the Father. Following this, Jesus prays for His disciples and exudes confidence that the disciples have accepted Him as coming from the Father. Jesus has nothing negative to say about the disciples, for they have done their part to the extent they are able. This is also something we should keep in mind as we also pray. We can bring forward aspects of our life and the good things we do. We should also remember and pray for our brothers and sisters for the good they too do. So, God and neighbour should become the benchmark of our prayer. Do we pray like Jesus?

Saint Peter Celestine V,Pope, Confessor (1215 -1296)

Peter Di Morone had spent most of his life as a Benedictine hermit in the wild mountains of southern Italy when, in 1294, to his great surprise, he was one day visited by an immense crowd of monks and lay people led by three Cardinals who announced that he had been unanimously elected Pope. Tearfully obeying the summons to leave his beloved solitude, he entered the city of Acquila riding on a donkey, with Kings Charles II of Naples holding the bridle on one side and Charles Martel of Hungary on the other.

To the politically ambitious rulers the election of the 79-year-old hermit as Pope Celestine V was a windfall. He let himself be persuaded to reside at Naples, to create 13 new Cardinals and, refusing no one, proceeded to grant benefices to all and sundry, sometimes in his innocence even to several rival claimants simultaneously. In no time the affairs of the Curia were in utter disarray.

After a 5-month reign, Peter issued an edict declaring the Pope’s right to resign and then on 13 December freely resigned “because of my lowliness, my desire for a more perfect life, my advanced age and infirmities, and my ignorance and inexperience in world affairs”. He fled back to the mountains he so loved, but was captured after several months by order of his successor, Boniface VIII, and kept closely confined in a castle near Anagni for fear that his enemies might make use of the simple old man for their own political ends. He died in 1296 and was canonized in 1313.

Reflection: “To speak heart to heart with God, you must love to be with him alone” (St Peter Celestine).

17/05/2026

Daily Readings
May 18, 2026
Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Reading 1
Acts 19:1–8

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptised?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptised with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 68:2–3, 4–5ac, 6–7ab

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Let God arise; let his foes be scattered.
Let those who hate him flee from his presence.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
like wax that melts before the fire,
so the wicked shall perish at the presence of God.

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God;
they shall exult with glad rejoicing.
O sing to God; make music to his name.
The Lord is his name; exult at his presence.

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Father of orphans, defender of widows:
such is God in his holy place.
God gives the desolate a home to dwell in;
he leads the prisoners forth into prosperity.

Response: You, kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.

Alleluia
Colossians 3:1
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 16:29–33

At that time: The disciples said to Jesus, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Reflection

As Jesus brings His farewell discourse to a conclusion, the disciples have gained a partial understanding of the life and mission of Jesus. Partial because a very important aspect is missing from it. In fact, their admission that Jesus knows all things and that they need not question Him any further and that He has come from God is true. What they lack is the most important thing that Jesus is going back to the Father after having risen from the dead. They are oblivious of the fact that the hour of His glorification will be preceded by His suffering and death on the cross. In spite of this hard reality, Jesus shows His affection for the disciples by wishing them peace. Difficulties will be there, but He wishes them victory, for He has overcome the world and its powers.

Saint John I (A.D. -526)

Born in Tuscany (Italy), St John I joined the Roman clergy while still a young man. Soon he was appointed archdeacon and, after the death of Pope St Hormisden in 523, was chosen Pope. Italy had been, for some 30 years, ruled by Theodoric the Ostrogoth who though an A***n by birth and by conviction, treated his Catholic subjects with toleration and even with favour during the greater part of his reign. In time, however, his policy changed, partly as the result of what he regarded as treasonable correspondence between leading members of the Roman Senate and Constantinople, partly in consequence of severe measures against A***ns enacted by the Emperor Justin I. Appealed to by his co-religionists in the East, Theodoric decided to send an emissary to negotiate with the Emperor.

John was sent, and his arrival in Constantinople was greeted with enthusiasm, and on Easter day he pontificated in the cathedral. Theodoric’s suspicions had however been growing. During the absence of the Pope he had ordered the ex*****on of the great philosopher, Boethins (St Severinus) on a charge of high treason and he seems to have misunderstood the friendly relations between the Pope and the Emperor as part of a conspiracy against him. Thus, no sooner did he reach Ravenna, Theodoric’s capital, than Pope John was cast into prison where, not many days later, he died of maltreatment.

To Pope St John I goes the credit for the adoption of the Paschal Cycle of the Alexandrian Church in Catholic Liturgy.

Reflection: “Happy are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12).

Sacred Heart Cathedral,New Delhi

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