Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ 1

DIVINE OFFICE LITURGY OF THE HOURS

Thursday after Pentecost OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST Feast

Invitatory Ant. Let us give glory to Christ who has an eternal priesthood.

Invitatory Psalm, as in the Ordinary.

Office of Readings

Hymn

Jesus, our High Priest, only Mediator, mercifully bringing prayers before the Father: from every nation,
justly we extol you, singing your praises Formed by the Spirit in the womb of Mary, Son of the Virgin,
your right arm embraces all of creation, Sacrifice and Victim, worthy of blessing. Named by the Father
Priest and King for ever, you were anointed with the oil of gladness, brought to high heaven and his
throne of glory, height of all honour. God most exalted, mortal flesh assuming, offering your life-blood,
precious gift all cleansing, you paid the ransom, price of our redemption, death’s curse removing.
Christ, who uplifted on the Cross of sorrow, drew all creation, piercing hearts with ardour, grant we may
ever praise you and the Father, one with the Spirit. Amen.

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Psalmody Ant. 1 I asked my Father, and he has given me the nations as an inheritance. Psalm 2 1 Why do
the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? 2 They arise, the kings of the earth; princes plot
against the Lord and his Anointed. 3 ‘Let us burst asunder their fetters. Let us cast off from us their
chains.’ 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord derides and mocks them. 5 Then he will speak in
his anger, his rage will strike them with terror. 6 ‘It is I who have appointed my king on Zion, my holy
mountain.’ 7 I will announce his decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son. It is I who have begotten
you this day. 8 Ask of me and I will make nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth as your
possession. 9 With a rod of iron you will rule them; like a potter’s jar you will shatter them.’ 10 So now,
O kings, understand; take warning, rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear; exult with trembling,
embrace correction, 12 lest he be angry and you perish on the way, for suddenly his anger will blaze.
Blessed are all who trust in God! Ant. 1 I asked my Father, and he has given me the nations as an
inheritance. Ant. 2 Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Psalm 40 (39):2-13
2 I waited, I waited for the Lord, and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry. 3 He drew me from the
deadly pit, from the miry clay. He set my feet upon a rock, made my footsteps firm. 4 He put a new song
into my mouth, praise of our God. Many shall see and fear and shall trust in the Lord.

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5 Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord, and has not gone over to the proud who follow
false gods. 6 How many are the wonders and designs that you have worked for us, O Lord my God; you
have no equal. Should I wish to proclaim or speak of them, they would be more than I can tell! 7 You
delight not in sacrifice and offering, but in an open ear. You do not ask for holocaust and sin offering. 8
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come.’ In the scroll of the book it stands written of me: 9 ‘I delight to do
your will, O my God; your instruction lies deep within me.’ 10 Your righteousness I have proclaimed in
the great assembly. My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord. 11 Your saving help I have not hidden
in my heart; of your faithfulness and salvation I have spoken. I made no secret of your merciful love and
your faithfulness to the great assembly. 12 You, O Lord, will not withhold your compassion from me.
Your loving mercy and your faithfulness will always guard me. 13 For I am beset with evils too many to
be counted. My iniquities have overtaken me, till I can see no more. They are more than the hairs of my
head, and my heart is sinking. Ant. 2 Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.
Ant. 3 Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her, to make her holy. Psalm 85 (84) 2 O
Lord, you have favoured your land, and brought back the captives of Jacob. 3 You forgave the guilt of
your people, and covered all their sins. 4 You averted all your rage; you turned back the heat of your
anger.

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5 Bring us back, O God, our saviour! Put an end to your grievance against us. 6 Will you be angry with
us forever? Will your anger last from age to age? 7 Will you not restore again our life, that your people
may rejoice in you? 8 Show us, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation. 9 I will hear what the
Lord God speaks; he speaks of peace for his people and his faithful, and those who turn their hearts to
him. 10 His salvation is near for those who fear him, and his glory will dwell in our land. 11 Merciful love
and faithfulness have met; righteousness and peace have kissed. 12 Faithfulness shall spring from the
earth, and righteousness look down from heaven. 13 Also the Lord will bestow his bounty, and our
earth shall yield its increase. 14 Righteousness will march before him, and guide his steps on the way.
Ant. 3 Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her, to make her holy. ± Christ offered one
sacrifice for sins. ∕ And has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

First Reading Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10 A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews Jesus, the great High
Priest Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of
God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with
confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time
of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation
to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he
himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as
for those of the people. And one does not take the honour upon himself, but he is called by God, just as
Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who
said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’; as he says also in another place,

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‘You are a priest for ever, According to the order of Melchizedek.’ In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered
up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death,
and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he
suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being
designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Responsory Phil 2:8; Is 53:7 ± Christ humbled himself, * becoming obedient even to death. ∕ He was
sacrificed, for he himself willed it, * becoming…
Second Reading A reading from the Encyclical Mediator Dei of Pope Pius XII (AAS 39 [1947], 552-553)
Christ, Priest and Victim Christ is a Priest indeed; however, he is a Priest not for himself but for us, since,
in the name of the whole human race, he brings our prayers and religious dispositions to the eternal
Father; he is also a victim, but a victim for us, since he substitutes himself for sinners. Now the
exhortation of the Apostle, ‘Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,’ demands that all
Christians should possess, as far as is humanly possible, the same dispositions as those which the divine
Redeemer had when he offered himself in sacrifice: that is to say, they should with a humble attitude of
mind, offer adoration, honour, praise and thanksgiving to the supreme majesty of God. Moreover, it
demands that they must assume in some way the condition of a victim, that they deny themselves as
the Gospel commands, that freely and of their own accord they do penance and that each detests and
makes satisfaction for his sins. It demands, in a word, that we must all undergo with Christ a mystical
death on the Cross so that we can apply to ourselves the words of St. Paul, ‘I have been crucified with
Christ’ (Galatians 2:19).

Responsory Cf. Galatians 2:20 ±. I live by faith in the Son of God, * Who has loved me and has given
himself up for me. ∕ I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me. * Who has loved me…

Hymn, Te Deum Prayer, as in Morning Prayer.

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Morning Prayer

Hymn

Singing together, heaven and earth acclaim you, Christ Jesus, Saviour, humankind redeeming, offering
the Father fitting expiation, Priest through the ages. Led to the slaughter, Jesus, you accepted, willingly,
gently, death and all its torment, that you might lead us, who were lost and broken, through heaven’s
gateway. Ending for ever former rites held sacred, bringing fulfilment to the Prophets’ writings, now by
a new love, you ordained a covenant with God the Most High. Merciful Author of so great a covenant,
you, the true Victim, food of life eternal, placed on the altar, pledge of peace most holy, you are the one
Priest. Christ, who uplifted on the Cross of sorrow, drew all creation, piercing hearts with ardour, grant
we may ever praise you and the Father, one with the Spirit. Amen. Ant. 1 Through the blood of the Cross
of Christ, the Father has established peace with all things, whether on earth or in heaven.

Psalms and canticle of Sunday, Week I. Ant. 2 All things were created through Christ and in Christ. Ant. 3
He has put all things under his feet and has made him Head over the whole Church, which is his Body.

Short Reading Hebrews 10:5-10 When Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you
have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have
taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Lo, I have come to do your will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of
the book.’ When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings
and burnt offerings and sin offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added, ‘Lo, I have
come to do your will.’ He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have
been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

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Intercessions Father of mercies and God of all consolation, you fill with your kindness all who approach
you. As we begin this day, through Christ and with him and in him, we your children pray: Lord,
graciously hear us. Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, — lead us into the light of your truth. Christ,
Word of God, you are with the Father for ever; — stir up in your faithful the will to proclaim the Gospel.
Jesus, Anointed of the Father in the Holy Spirit, — consecrate your Church in holiness. Christ, High Priest
of the New Covenant, — clothe Priests with your holiness, to the glory of the Father. Christ, Wisdom of
God, our peace and reconciliation, — grant that we may be made one in heart and mind in your Church.
Christ, Eternal Priest, who glorify the Father, — grant that in you our offering may be rendered as praise
to your eternal glory. Our Father.

Prayer O God, who for the glory of your majesty and the salvation of the human race, made your Only
Begotten Son the Eternal High Priest, grant that, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, those whom
he has chosen as ministers and stewards of his mysteries may be found faithful in carrying out the
ministry they have received. 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.

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Prayer during the Day

Psalms of the occurring weekday. Prayer before Noon Ant. Through Christ we all have access to the
Father in the one Spirit.

Short Reading Hebrews 7:26-27 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy,
blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those
high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this
once for all when he offered up himself. ± Rejoice that you have a share in the sufferings of Christ. ∕ That
you may also rejoice and exult in the revelation of his glory. Midday Prayer Ant. You have been built on
the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Short Reading 1 Peter 2:4-5 Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God’s sight chosen
and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to
offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ± As you have received Jesus Christ, the
Lord, so walk in him. ∕ Planted, and built up in him, and confirmed in faith. Afternoon Prayer Ant. Grace
has been given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift, for the buildingup of his Body,
which is the Church.

Short Reading 1 Peter 2:9-10 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own
people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his
marvellous light. Once you were no people but now you are God’s people; once you had not received
mercy but now you have received mercy. ± Let the peace of Christ exult in your hearts. ∕ That peace in
which you have also been called in the one Body.

Prayer, as atMorning Prayer.

Evening Prayer

Hymn

O Christ, High Priest for evermore of your eternal covenant, our hymns and prayers are rightly yours:
we sing you songs of thankful love. Proceeding from the Father’s throne, and moved with pity for our
sin, you came, obedient, weak, and poor, incarnate in the Virgin’s womb. You came destroying ancient
sin, preparing all for light and grace; the Father and the Paraclete anointed you as Priest and King.
Unique, unblemished sacrifice, you shed your blood for love of us; in love you grant your children now
to glory in the Father’s peace. You give yourself eternally, our altars’ saving sacrifice, the perfect One
enthroned on high, obtaining mercy for us all. All praise to you, O Christ, High Priest who live and reign
and sacrifice, and glory to the Father be for endless ages still to come. Amen. Ant. 1 The Lord has sworn
an oath, and he will not change: You are a priest for ever. Psalm 110 (109):1-5, 7 The Lord’s revelation to
my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your foes your footstool.’ 2 The Lord will send from Zion your
sceptre of power: rule in the midst of your foes. 3 With you is princely rule on the day of your power. In
holy splendour, from the womb before the dawn, I have begotten you. 4 The Lord has sworn an oath he
will not change: ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’

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5 The Lord at your right hand, shatters kings on the day of his wrath. 7 He shall drink from the stream
by the wayside, and therefore he shall lift up his head. Ant. 1 The Lord has sworn an oath, and he will
not change: You are a priest for ever. Ant. 2 God, who is rich in mercy, has brought us to life together in
Christ. Psalm 111 (110) 1 Alleluia! I will praise the Lord with all my heart, in the meeting of the just and
the assembly. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, to be pondered by all who delight in them. 3 Majestic
and glorious his work; his righteousness stands firm forever. 4 He has given us a memorial of his
wonders. The Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He gives food to those who fear him; keeps his covenant
ever in mind. 6 His mighty works he has shown to his people by giving them the heritage of nations. 7
His handiwork is justice and truth; his precepts are all of them sure, 8 standing firm forever and ever,
wrought in uprightness and truth. 9 He has sent redemption to his people, and established his covenant
forever. Holy his name, to be feared. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; understanding
marks all who live by it. His praise endures forever! Ant. 2 God, who is rich in mercy, has brought us to
life together in Christ. Ant. 3 Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Canticle
Col 1:12-20 12 Let us give thanks to the Father who has made us worthy to share the heritage of the
holy ones in light. 13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of
his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn of all creation,

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16 For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions, principalities or powers. All were created through him and for him, 17 and he
exists before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the Church,
the beginning, the firstborn from the dead 19 that he may have primacy in all things. For in him was all
the fullness pleased to dwell, 20 and through him, to reconcile all things to himself, both those on the
earth, and those in the heavens, making peace through the blood of his cross. Ant. 3 Christ is the image
of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Short Reading Hebrews 10:19-23 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary
by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is,
through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true
heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies
washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who
promised is faithful.

Short Responsory Romans 5:1b-2b ± Let us have peace with God * through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us
have peace… ∕ And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of the children of God. * Through our Lord. Glory
be to the Father. Let us have peace… Magnificat ant. Father, I pray for them, because they are yours and
I consecrate myself for them, so that they may also be consecrated in the Truth.

Intercessions Through Christ, let us pour forth our prayers to God the Father, who directs all things by
his will and blesses all who trust in him. With confidence we ask that you hear us. Christ, Word of the
Father, — place on our lips the prayer we are about to offer. Christ our Priest, Bread of Life, — grant
your chosen ones to live the gift of their own priesthood, as they bring their selfoblation to perfection in
you. Christ in glory, always interceding for us with the Father, — keep us faithful in prayer, lest
labourers should be lacking for your harvest. Christ the Lord, sent by the Father, — grant that in you all
may find life and the way of the Kingdom.

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Christ, Son of the living God, who by your death have conquered death, — grant that the ultimate self-
offering of our dead may bring them eternal joy in glory. Our Father.

Prayer O God, who for the glory of your majesty and the salvation of the human race, made your Only
Begotten Son the Eternal High Priest, grant that, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, those whom
he has chosen as ministers and stewards of his mysteries may be found faithful in carrying out the
ministry they have received. 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.

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THE ROMAN MISSAL LECTIONARY

Thursday after Pentecost OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST Feast

Year A First Reading Genesis 22:9–18 The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith. A reading from the
Book of Genesis When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there,
and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. Then
Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him
from heaven, and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here am I.’ He said, ‘Do not lay your hand
on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your
son, your only son, from me.’ And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was
a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a
burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord will provide; as it
is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’ And the angel of the Lord called to
Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, ‘By myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you
have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will
multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore. And your
descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your descendants shall all the nations of
the earth bless themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.’ The word of the Lord.

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Or: First Reading Hebrews 10:4–10 It is written of me in the roll of the book: I have come to do you will,
O God. A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats
should take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings
you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you
have taken no pleasure. Then I said, “Lo, I have come to do your will, O God,” as it is written of me in the
roll of the book.’ When he said above, ‘You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and
offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings’ (these are offered according to the law), then he added,
‘Lo, I have come to do your will.’ He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And by that will
we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The word of the
Lord.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 40(39):7-8a, 10-11ab, 17 (± 8a, 9a) ± Behold I have come, Lord, to do your
will. You delight not in sacrifice and offering, but in an open ear. You do not ask for holocaust and sin
offering. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come.’ Your righteousness I have proclaimed in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord. Your saving help I have not hidden in my heart; of your
faithfulness and salvation I have spoken, O let there be rejoicing and gladness for all who seek you, Let
them ever say, ‘The Lord is great,’ who long for your salvation.

Alleluia Philippians 2:8–9 ± Alleluia. Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has exalted him and given him a name which is above every name. ± Alleluia.

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Gospel Matthew 26:36-42 My soul is sorrowful unto death. Ñ A reading from the holy Gospel according
to Matthew Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit
here, while I go yonder and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to
be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain
here, and watch with me.’ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, ‘My Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’ And he came to the
disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour?
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is
weak.’ Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I
drink it, thy will be done.’ The Gospel of the Lord. Year B First Reading Jeremiah 31:31-34 I will make a
new covenant with them; I will remember their sins no more. A reading from the Book of the Prophet
Jeremiah ‘Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house
of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when I took
them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was
their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after
those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will
be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each man teach his neighbour and each
his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,
says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.’ The word of the
Lord.

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Or: First Reading Hebrews 10:11-18 He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. A reading
from the Letter to the Hebrews Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for
sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his
feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit
also bears witness to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those
days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,’ then he adds, ‘I
will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more.’ Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no
longer any offering for sin. The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 110(109):1b-e, 2, 3 (± 4b) ± You are a priest for ever, according to the order
of Melchizedek. The Lord’s revelation to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your foes your
footstool.’ The Lord will send from Zion your sceptre of power: rule in the midst of your foes. With you is
princely rule on the day of your power. In holy splendour, from the womb before the dawn, I have
begotten you.

Alleluia Hebrews 5:8-9 ± Alleluia. Since he was Son, he learned obedience through those things which
he suffered, and having been made perfect, he has become for all who obey him the author of eternal
salvation. ± Alleluia.

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Gospel Mark 14:22-25 This is my body. This is my blood. Ñ A reading from the holy Gospel according to
Mark As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said,
‘Take; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they
all drank of it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the
kingdom of God.’ The Gospel of the Lord. Year C First Reading Isaiah 6:1-4, 8 Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of
hosts. A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord
sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim;
each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he
flew. And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of
his glory.’ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house
was filled with smoke. And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for
us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’ The word of the Lord.

Or: First Reading Hebrews 2:10-18 He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. A
reading from the Letter to the Hebrews It was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in
bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. For
he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call
them brethren, saying, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will
praise you.’ And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’

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And again, ‘Here am I, and the children God has given me.’ Since therefore the children share in flesh
and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him
who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were
subject to lifelong bondage. For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the
descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he
might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of
the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are
tempted. The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 23 (22):2-3, 5, 6 (±1) ± The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me; he revives
my soul. He guides me along the right path, for the sake of his name. You have prepared a table before
me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. Surely goodness
and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for length of days
unending.

Alleluia Ezekiel 36:25a, 26a ± Alleluia. I will pour clean water upon you and I will give you a new heart;
a new spirit I will put within you. ± Alleluia.

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Gospel John 17:1-2, 9, 14-26 For their sake I consecrate myself, so that they may also be consecrated in
truth. Ñ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 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
power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. I am praying for them; I am
not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. I have given them
your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the
world. I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from
the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your
word is truth. As you did send 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. ‘I do not pray for these only, but also
for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even 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 which 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 have
sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you
have given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which you have given me in your love
for me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I
have known you; and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will
make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’ The Gospel
of the Lord.
20 Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ

THE ROMAN MISSAL PROPER OF TIME

Thursday after Pentecost OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST Feast

Entrance Antiphon Cf. Heb 7:24; 9, 15 Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant, has an eternal priesthood
because he remains for ever.

The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said.

Collect O God, who for the glory of your majesty and the salvation of the human race, made your Only
Begotten Son the Eternal High Priest, grant that, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, those whom
he has chosen as ministers and stewards of his mysteries may be found faithful in carrying out the
ministry they have received. 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.

Prayer over the Offerings Lord, may our Mediator Jesus Christ render these gifts acceptable to you, and
may he present us as sacrifices pleasing to you in union with him. Who lives and reigns for ever and
ever.

Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ 21

Preface: The priesthood of Christ and of the Church ± The Lord be with you. ∕ And with your spirit. ± Lift
up your hearts. ∕ We lift them up to the Lord. ±. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. ∕ It is right and
just. It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For by the anointing of the Holy Spirit you made your Only
Begotten Son High Priest of the new and eternal covenant, and by your wondrous design were pleased
to decree that his one Priesthood should continue in the Church. For Christ not only adorns with a royal
priesthood the people he has made his own, but with a brother’s kindness he also chooses men to
become sharers in his sacred ministry through the laying on of hands. They are to renew in his name the
sacrifice of human redemption, to set before your children the paschal banquet, to lead your holy
people in charity, to nourish them with the word and strengthen them with the Sacraments. As they give
up their lives for you and for the salvation of their brothers and sisters, they strive to be conformed to
the image of Christ himself and offer you a constant witness of faith and love. And so, Lord, with all the
Angels and Saints, we, too, give you thanks, as in exultation we acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of
hosts…

Communion Antiphon Mt 28:20 And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Prayer after Communion May this divine sacrifice we have offered and received fill us with life, O Lord,
we pray, so that, bound to you in lasting charity, we may bear fruit that lasts for ever. Through Christ our
Lord.

22 Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ

ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

11. Thursday after Pentecost The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Eternal High Priest, according to the
order of Melchizedek. In him the Father has been well pleased from before all time. As Mediator
between God and human beings, fulfilling his Father’s will, he sacrificed himself once on the altar of the
Cross as a saving Victim for the whole world. Thus, instituting the pattern of an everlasting sacrifice, with
a brother’s kindness he chose, from among the children of Adam, men to augment the priesthood, so
that, from the sacrifice continually renewed in the Church, streams of divine power might flow, whereby
a new heaven and a new earth might be made, and throughout the whole universe there would be
perfected what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the human heart.

17. Thursday after Pentecost: Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Eternal High Priest Heb 9: 24-25 For Christ has
entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to
appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest
enters the Holy Place yearly with blood not his own. The word of the Lord. ± Thanks be to God.