Reading 1

Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3

In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

  The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.

  When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.

   And a large number of people was added to the Lord. Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.

  For a whole year they met with the Church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
 
  Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

  Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off.
 

Psalm

Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

 The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
 Sing to the LORD a new song,
 for he has done wondrous deeds;
 His right hand has won victory for him,
 his holy arm.

 R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
 The LORD has made his salvation known:
 in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
 toward the house of Israel.

 R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
 All the ends of the earth have seen
 the salvation by our God.

 Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
 break into song; sing praise.
 R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
 Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
 with the harp and melodious song.

 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
 sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
 R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
 

Gospel

Mt 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.

  He began to teach them, saying:"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

  Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the land.

  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

  Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."