Office of Readings
0520 Pastors Feast
Invitatory Antiphon
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
hail the God who save us.
Let us come before him giving thanks,
with songs let us hail the Lord.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
A mighty God is the Lord,
a great king above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his.
To him belongs the sea, for he made it,
and the dry land shaped by his hands.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
Come in; let us bow and bend low;
let us kneel before the God who made us
for he is our God and we +
the people who belong to his pasture,
the flock that is led by his hand.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
O that today you would listen to his voice!
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the desert +
when your fathers put me to the test;
when they tried me, though they saw my work.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
For forty years I was wearied of these people
and I said: 'Their hearts are astray,
these people do not know my ways.' +
Then I took an oath in my anger:
'Never shall they enter my rest.'"
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
HYMN
The king of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness fails me never:
I nothing lack if I am his,
And he is mine for ever.
Where streams of living water flow,
To rest my soul he leads me:
Where fresh and fertile pastures grow,
With heav’nly food he feeds me.
Perverse and foolish I have strayed,
But he with love has sought me,
And on his shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death’s dark vale, I fear no ill,
With you, dear Lord, beside me:
Your rod and staff my comfort still,
Your cross will ever guide.
You spread a banquet in my sight,
My head with oil anointing,
And let me taste the sweet delight
From your pure chalice flowing.
And so through all the length of days
Your goodness fails me never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise
Within your house forever.
PSALMODY
Psalm 21:2-8,14
Ant. 1: If anyone wishes to be first, he must become the last and the servant of all.
O Lord, your strength gives joy to the King; *
how your saving help makes him glad!
You have granted him his heart's desire; *
you have not refused the prayer of his lips.
You came to meet him with the blessings of success, *
you have set on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked you for life and this you have given, *
days that will last from age to age.
Your saving help has given him glory. *
You have laid upon him majesty and splendor,
you have granted your blessings to him forever. *
You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.
The king has put his trust in the Lord: *
through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
O Lord, arise in your strength; *
we shall sing and praise your power.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. 1: If anyone wishes to be first, he must become the last and the servant of all.
Psalm 92 I
Ant. 2: When the prince of pastors comes again, you will receive from him an unfading crown of glory.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, *
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning *
and your truth in the watches of the night,
on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute, *
with the murmuring sound of the harp.
Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad; *
for the work of your hands I shout with joy.
O Lord, how great are your works! *
How deep are your designs!
The foolish man cannot know this *
and the fool cannot understand.
Though the wicked spring up like grass *
and all who do evil thrive,
they are doomed to be eternally destroyed. *
But you, Lord, are eternally on high.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. 2: When the prince of pastors comes again, you will receive from him an unfading crown of glory.
Psalm 92 II
Ant. 3: My good and faithful servant, come and share your master's joy.
See how your enemies perish; *
all doers of evil are scattered.
To me you give the wild ox's strength; *
you anoint me with the purest oil.
My eyes looked in triumph on my foes; *
my ears heard gladly of their fall.
The just will flourish like the palm tree *
and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord *
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
still bearing fruit when they are old, *
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just. *
In him, my rock, there is no wrong.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. 3: My good and faithful servant, come and share your master's joy.
【V】:You will hear the word from my mouth.
【R】:You will tell others what I have said.
The First Reading
From the first letter of Peter the Apostle (5:1-11)
The duties of pastors and the laity
I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Likewise, you younger members, be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: "God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble." So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.
Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.
The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen.
RESPONSORY [See Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 4:2]
【V】:It should be clear that we are Christ's servants, stewards of the mysteries of God;
【R】:the great quality of a steward is to be faithful to his duty.
【V】:Many men are said to be merciful,but how often do we find one who is faithful to his duty?
【R】:the great quality of a steward is to be faithful to his duty.
The Second Reading
From the Sermons of Saint Bernardine of Siena [Sermon 49, ch.2, Op. Om. IV 505]
The name of Jesus is the crowning glory of preachers.
It is due to him that their preaching and its reception are blessed with extraordinary enlightenment. How else in the world could the fervent light of faith be kindled so suddenly if not by the name of Jesus? It is not by the light of this name that God is said to have called us into his own glorious light? To the enlightened who see light in that light, Saint Paul says: "You were once all darkness; now you are all light in the Lord; walk then as children of the light." It is not a name to be hidden; it is to be proclaimed for its light to shine. An unclean heart and a sordid mouth are no fit way to speak this name. The preacher should be a choice vessel, holding and proffering this name.
That is how the Lord speaks of the Apostle: "This man is for me a vessel of election, to carry my name before nations and kings and the children of Israel." He speaks of a chosen vessel - one where the choicest drink is presented to tempt the appetite while it twinkles and sparkles in quality jars - a vessel to carry my name.
You clean a field by lighting a fire, getting rid of weeds and thorns; when the sun is up, darkness vanishes and all the thieves and prowlers and house breakers go to ground. That is how it was with Paul in his preaching. His was a tongue with a thunderclap - like a forest fire or a brilliant sunrise, weeding out infidelity, exposing falsehood, letting the truth radiate, like candle-wax liquefying in a strong flame.
He carried the name of Jesus everywhere, in his preaching, his letters, his miracles, his example. He praised the name of Jesus continuously; its praise was always on his lips.
He carried the name before kings, nations and the house of Israel like a torch, and it was always the same message: "The night is passed, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light." Let us walk uprightly as in the daylight. He displayed to everyone a shining and burning light, proclaiming everywhere Jesus, and him crucified.
Therefore, the Church, the spouse of Christ, enlightened by his witness, rejoices in the words of the prophet: "Lord, you have instructed me from youth and I shall proclaim your wonders for ever." And the prophet also exhorts us: "Sing to the Lord and bless his name; tell from day to day of his salvation", that is, of Jesus our Saviour.
Responsory
【V】:I will praise your name unceasingly, *
【R】:and gratefully sing its praises (alleluia).
【V】:I rejoice and exult in you, I sing to your name, Most High *
【R】:and gratefully sing its praises (alleluia).
TeDeum
We praise you, O God: *
we acclaim you as the Lord.
Everlasting Father, *
all the world bows down before you.
All the angels sing your praise, *
the hosts of heaven and all the angelic powers,
all the cherubim and seraphim *
call out to you in unending song:
Holy, Holy, Holy, *
is the Lord God of angel hosts!
The heavens and the earth are filled *
with your majesty and glory.
The glorious band of apostles, *
the noble company of prophets,
the white-robed army who shed their blood for Christ, *
all sing your praise.
And to the ends of the earth *
your holy Church proclaims her faith in you:
Father, whose majesty is boundless, +
your true and only Son, who is to be adored *
the Holy Spirit sent to be our Advocate.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, *
Son of the eternal Father.
When you took our nature to save mankind *
you did not shrink from birth in the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the power of death *
opening the Father's kingdom to all who believe in you.
Enthroned at God's right hand in the glory of the Father, *
you will come in judgment according to your promise.
You redeemed your people by your precious blood. *
Come we implore you, to our aid.
Grant us with the saints *
a place in eternal glory.
***
Lord, save your people *
and bless your inheritance.
Rule them and uphold them *
for ever and ever.
Day by day we praise you: *
we acclaim you now and to all eternity.
In your goodness, Lord, keep us free from sin. *
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
May your mercy always be with us, Lord, *
for we have hoped in you.
In you, Lord, we put our trust: *
we shall not be put to shame.
Concluding Prayer
God our Father, you gave Saint Bernardine of Siena a most tender love of the Holy Name of Jesus. Grant, by his merits and prayers, that your Spirit of love may always inflame us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
hail the God who save us.
Let us come before him giving thanks,
with songs let us hail the Lord.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
A mighty God is the Lord,
a great king above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his.
To him belongs the sea, for he made it,
and the dry land shaped by his hands.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
Come in; let us bow and bend low;
let us kneel before the God who made us
for he is our God and we +
the people who belong to his pasture,
the flock that is led by his hand.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
O that today you would listen to his voice!
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the desert +
when your fathers put me to the test;
when they tried me, though they saw my work.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
For forty years I was wearied of these people
and I said: 'Their hearts are astray,
these people do not know my ways.' +
Then I took an oath in my anger:
'Never shall they enter my rest.'"
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
【Ant.】:How wonderful is God among his saints; come, let us adore him (alleluia).
HYMN
The king of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness fails me never:
I nothing lack if I am his,
And he is mine for ever.
Where streams of living water flow,
To rest my soul he leads me:
Where fresh and fertile pastures grow,
With heav’nly food he feeds me.
Perverse and foolish I have strayed,
But he with love has sought me,
And on his shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death’s dark vale, I fear no ill,
With you, dear Lord, beside me:
Your rod and staff my comfort still,
Your cross will ever guide.
You spread a banquet in my sight,
My head with oil anointing,
And let me taste the sweet delight
From your pure chalice flowing.
And so through all the length of days
Your goodness fails me never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise
Within your house forever.
PSALMODY
Psalm 21:2-8,14
Ant. 1: If anyone wishes to be first, he must become the last and the servant of all.
O Lord, your strength gives joy to the King; *
how your saving help makes him glad!
You have granted him his heart's desire; *
you have not refused the prayer of his lips.
You came to meet him with the blessings of success, *
you have set on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked you for life and this you have given, *
days that will last from age to age.
Your saving help has given him glory. *
You have laid upon him majesty and splendor,
you have granted your blessings to him forever. *
You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.
The king has put his trust in the Lord: *
through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
O Lord, arise in your strength; *
we shall sing and praise your power.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. 1: If anyone wishes to be first, he must become the last and the servant of all.
Psalm 92 I
Ant. 2: When the prince of pastors comes again, you will receive from him an unfading crown of glory.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, *
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning *
and your truth in the watches of the night,
on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute, *
with the murmuring sound of the harp.
Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad; *
for the work of your hands I shout with joy.
O Lord, how great are your works! *
How deep are your designs!
The foolish man cannot know this *
and the fool cannot understand.
Though the wicked spring up like grass *
and all who do evil thrive,
they are doomed to be eternally destroyed. *
But you, Lord, are eternally on high.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. 2: When the prince of pastors comes again, you will receive from him an unfading crown of glory.
Psalm 92 II
Ant. 3: My good and faithful servant, come and share your master's joy.
See how your enemies perish; *
all doers of evil are scattered.
To me you give the wild ox's strength; *
you anoint me with the purest oil.
My eyes looked in triumph on my foes; *
my ears heard gladly of their fall.
The just will flourish like the palm tree *
and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord *
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
still bearing fruit when they are old, *
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just. *
In him, my rock, there is no wrong.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. 3: My good and faithful servant, come and share your master's joy.
【V】:You will hear the word from my mouth.
【R】:You will tell others what I have said.
The First Reading
From the first letter of Peter the Apostle (5:1-11)
The duties of pastors and the laity
I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Likewise, you younger members, be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: "God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble." So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.
Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.
The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen.
RESPONSORY [See Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 4:2]
【V】:It should be clear that we are Christ's servants, stewards of the mysteries of God;
【R】:the great quality of a steward is to be faithful to his duty.
【V】:Many men are said to be merciful,but how often do we find one who is faithful to his duty?
【R】:the great quality of a steward is to be faithful to his duty.
The Second Reading
From the Sermons of Saint Bernardine of Siena [Sermon 49, ch.2, Op. Om. IV 505]
The name of Jesus is the crowning glory of preachers.
It is due to him that their preaching and its reception are blessed with extraordinary enlightenment. How else in the world could the fervent light of faith be kindled so suddenly if not by the name of Jesus? It is not by the light of this name that God is said to have called us into his own glorious light? To the enlightened who see light in that light, Saint Paul says: "You were once all darkness; now you are all light in the Lord; walk then as children of the light." It is not a name to be hidden; it is to be proclaimed for its light to shine. An unclean heart and a sordid mouth are no fit way to speak this name. The preacher should be a choice vessel, holding and proffering this name.
That is how the Lord speaks of the Apostle: "This man is for me a vessel of election, to carry my name before nations and kings and the children of Israel." He speaks of a chosen vessel - one where the choicest drink is presented to tempt the appetite while it twinkles and sparkles in quality jars - a vessel to carry my name.
You clean a field by lighting a fire, getting rid of weeds and thorns; when the sun is up, darkness vanishes and all the thieves and prowlers and house breakers go to ground. That is how it was with Paul in his preaching. His was a tongue with a thunderclap - like a forest fire or a brilliant sunrise, weeding out infidelity, exposing falsehood, letting the truth radiate, like candle-wax liquefying in a strong flame.
He carried the name of Jesus everywhere, in his preaching, his letters, his miracles, his example. He praised the name of Jesus continuously; its praise was always on his lips.
He carried the name before kings, nations and the house of Israel like a torch, and it was always the same message: "The night is passed, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light." Let us walk uprightly as in the daylight. He displayed to everyone a shining and burning light, proclaiming everywhere Jesus, and him crucified.
Therefore, the Church, the spouse of Christ, enlightened by his witness, rejoices in the words of the prophet: "Lord, you have instructed me from youth and I shall proclaim your wonders for ever." And the prophet also exhorts us: "Sing to the Lord and bless his name; tell from day to day of his salvation", that is, of Jesus our Saviour.
Responsory
【V】:I will praise your name unceasingly, *
【R】:and gratefully sing its praises (alleluia).
【V】:I rejoice and exult in you, I sing to your name, Most High *
【R】:and gratefully sing its praises (alleluia).
TeDeum
We praise you, O God: *
we acclaim you as the Lord.
Everlasting Father, *
all the world bows down before you.
All the angels sing your praise, *
the hosts of heaven and all the angelic powers,
all the cherubim and seraphim *
call out to you in unending song:
Holy, Holy, Holy, *
is the Lord God of angel hosts!
The heavens and the earth are filled *
with your majesty and glory.
The glorious band of apostles, *
the noble company of prophets,
the white-robed army who shed their blood for Christ, *
all sing your praise.
And to the ends of the earth *
your holy Church proclaims her faith in you:
Father, whose majesty is boundless, +
your true and only Son, who is to be adored *
the Holy Spirit sent to be our Advocate.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, *
Son of the eternal Father.
When you took our nature to save mankind *
you did not shrink from birth in the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the power of death *
opening the Father's kingdom to all who believe in you.
Enthroned at God's right hand in the glory of the Father, *
you will come in judgment according to your promise.
You redeemed your people by your precious blood. *
Come we implore you, to our aid.
Grant us with the saints *
a place in eternal glory.
***
Lord, save your people *
and bless your inheritance.
Rule them and uphold them *
for ever and ever.
Day by day we praise you: *
we acclaim you now and to all eternity.
In your goodness, Lord, keep us free from sin. *
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
May your mercy always be with us, Lord, *
for we have hoped in you.
In you, Lord, we put our trust: *
we shall not be put to shame.
Concluding Prayer
God our Father, you gave Saint Bernardine of Siena a most tender love of the Holy Name of Jesus. Grant, by his merits and prayers, that your Spirit of love may always inflame us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.