Saint Pius X, Pope

First reading

1 Thessalonians 2:2-8

We were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives

It was our God who gave us the courage to proclaim his Good News to you in the face of great opposition. We have not taken to preaching because we are deluded, or immoral, or trying to deceive anyone; it was God who decided that we were fit to be entrusted with the Good News, and when we are speaking, we are not trying to please men but God, who can read our inmost thoughts. You know very well, and we can swear it before God, that never at any time have our speeches been simply flattery, or a cover for trying to get money; nor have we ever looked for any special honour from men, either from you or anybody else, when we could have imposed ourselves on you with full weight, as apostles of Christ.
Instead, we were unassuming. Like a mother feeding and looking after her own children, we felt so devoted and protective towards you, and had come to love you so much, that we were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives as well.

Psalm or canticle

Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
 through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
 that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
 I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish your dynasty for ever
 and set up your throne through all ages.

‘I have found David my servant
 and with my holy oil anointed him.
My hand shall always be with him
 and my arm shall make him strong.

‘My truth and my love shall be with him;
 by my name his might shall be exalted.
He will say to me: “You are my father,
 my God, the rock who saves me.”’

Gospel

John 21:15-17

Feed my lambs, feed my sheep

Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’