FIRST READING (Exodus 24:3-8)

This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you.
A reading from the book of Exodus

When Moses came to the people
and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
they all answered with one voice,
”We will do everything that the LORD has told us.”
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
rising early the next day,
he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites
to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls
as peace offerings to the LORD,
Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
who answered, “All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do.”
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
“This is the blood of the covenant
that the LORD has made with you
in accordance with all these words of his.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 16: 1b-3, 4-6, 6-8, 9-10, 11)

Your blood, O Lord, is the source of life.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, “My LORD are you, you are my only good.”
Worthless are all the false gods of the land.
Accursed are all who delight in them.

Your blood, O Lord, is the source of life.

They multiply their sorrows who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips.
Lord, my allotted portion and my cup,
you have made my destiny secure.

Your blood, O Lord, is the source of life.

 

Pleasant places were measured out for me;

fair to me indeed is my inheritance.
I bless the Lord who counsels me;
even at night my heart exhorts me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
with the Lord at my right, I shall never be shaken.

Your blood, O Lord, is the source of life.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, dwells secure,
For you will not abandon me to Sheol,
nor let your faithful servant see the pit.

Your blood, O Lord, is the source of life.

You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.

Your blood, O Lord, is the source of life.

 

SECOND READING (Ephesians 2:13-20)

Christ is our peace; he has made two peoples into one.
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.

Brothers and sisters:
Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have become near by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, he who made both one
and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,
abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,
that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,
thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile both with God,
in one body, through the cross,
putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near,
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

The word of the Lord.

 

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which will be shed for you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Lk 22: 20

GOSPEL - Luke 22:14-20

This is my body given for you. This is my blood poured out for you.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table with the apostles.
He said to them,
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,
for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again
until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said,
“Take this and share it among yourselves;
for I tell you that from this time on
I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine
until the kingdom of God comes.”
Then he took the bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them, saying,
“This is my body, which will be given for you;
do this in memory of me.”
And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.