Saint Stephanie
Green
St Stephanie was martyred at Denderah in Egypt in the fourth century. Stephanie, who was only 18 years old, suffered death together with about 500 Christians who were accused of preferring Christ to the local gods. Their faith and courage are a great challenge for us today.
Entrance Antiphon
I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.
Collect
O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbour, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Proverbs 21:1-6,10-13
Like flowing water is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord, who turns it where he pleases. A man’s conduct may strike him as upright, the Lord, however, weighs the heart. To act virtuously and with justice is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifice. Haughty eye, proud heart, lamp of the wicked, nothing but sin. The hardworking man is thoughtful, and all is gain; too much haste, and all that comes of it is want. To make a fortune with the help of a lying tongue, such the idle fantasy of those who look for death. The wicked man’s soul is intent on evil, he looks on his neighbour with dislike. When a mocker is punished, the ignorant man grows wiser, when a wise man is instructed he acquires more knowledge. The Just One watches the house of the wicked: he hurls the wicked to destruction. He who shuts his ear to the poor man’s cry shall himself plead and not be heard.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1,27,30,34-35,44
R/ Guide me, Lord, in the path of your commands.
They are happy whose life is blameless, who follow God’s law! Make me grasp the way of your precepts and I will muse on your wonders.
I have chosen the way of truth with your decrees before me. Train me to observe your law, to keep it with my heart.
Guide me in the path of your commands; for there is my delight. I shall always keep your law for ever and ever.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ps129:5
Alleluia, alleluia! My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 8:19-21
The mother and the brothers of Jesus came looking for him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. He was told, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you’ But he said in answer, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive with favour, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, that what they profess with devotion and faith may be theirs through these heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 118: 4-5
You have laid down your precepts to be carefully kept; may my ways be firm in keeping your statutes.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously raise up, O Lord, those you renew with this Sacrament, that we may come to possess your redemption both in mystery and in the manner of our life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The primary requirement for becoming a member of Jesus’ family is hearing the word of God and acting on it. The Word of God is manifested in the person of Jesus. All through the New Testament, we see a new election theology in which not only the people of Israel are called to become members of God’s family but everyone who adheres to the Word of God, Jesus Christ. The waters of baptism are very strong and they make us rightfully members of the family of Jesus. Baptism is an election into the everlasting bond of the family of Jesus. This calling is so special that Christians should have nothing more important for them than working to remain in this relationship with Jesus. The key to remaining in this relationship with Jesus is hearing the word of God and acting upon it. “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”