18 May 2026 (Monday) | Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter | Easter Weekday | Saint John I, Pope, Martyr

18 May 2026 (Monday)

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter.
Easter Weekday/ Saint John I, Pope, Martyr.

Readings from the Bible of the Roman Catholic Church:

First Reading: Acts 19: 1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab ℟. 33a or: ℟. Alleluia.
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia: Colossians 3: 1
Gospel: John 16: 29-33
Liturgical year 2026 (Cycle A/II)
Liturgical color: White or Red.

First Reading: Acts 19: 1-8

(Reader) A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

1 And it came to pass, while Apollo was at Corinth, that Paul having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples.
2 And he said to them: Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? But they said to him: We have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost.
3 And he said: In what then were you baptized? Who said: In John’s baptism.
4 Then Paul said: John baptized the people with the baptism of penance, saying: That they should believe in him who was to come after him, that is to say, in Jesus.
5 Having heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
8 And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of God.

(Reader) The Word of the Lord.
(All) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab ℟. 33a or: ℟. Alleluia.

R. (33a) Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
R. Alleluia.
2 Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered: and let them that hate him flee from before his face.
3ab As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish away: as wax melteth before the fire.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
R. Alleluia.
4 And let the just feast, and rejoice before God: and be delighted with gladness.
5acd Sing ye to God, sing a psalm to his name, make a way for him who ascendeth upon the west: the Lord is his name.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
R. Alleluia.
6 Who is the father of orphans, and the judge of widows. God in his holy place:
7ab God who maketh men of one manner to dwell in a house: Who bringeth out them that were bound in strength.
R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or
R. Alleluia.

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia: Colossians 3: 1
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: John 16: 29-33

(Reader) A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
(All) Glory to you, O Lord.

29 His disciples say to him: Behold, now thou speakest plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30 Now we know that thou knowest all things, and thou needest not that any man should ask thee. By this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them: Do you now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, and it is now come, that you shall be scattered every man to his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world.

(Reader) The Gospel of the Lord.
(All) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

For our reflection today:

The words of the Popes.

To endure is more than simply being patient; it is to carry the burden on one’s shoulders, to bear the weight of trials. And the Christian life, too, has such moments. But Jesus tells us: “Take courage in such times. I have overcome; you too will be victorious”. These first words give us the strength to face life’s most difficult moments, those moments that cause us to suffer. Entrusting something to the Lord, entrusting this difficult moment to the Lord, entrusting myself to the Lord, entrusting our faithful – we priests, bishops – entrusting our families and our friends to the Lord, and saying to the Lord: “Take care of these people, they are yours”. It is a prayer that we do not always say, the prayer of entrustment: “Lord, I entrust this to you, carry it forward yourself”. It is a beautiful Christian prayer. It is the attitude of confidence in the power of the Lord, and also in the tenderness of the Lord who is the Father. Three words: tribulations, entrustment and peace. In life we must walk paths of tribulation, but it is the law of life. But in those moments, if we entrust ourselves to the Lord, He responds with peace. This Lord, who is our Father, loves us so much and never disappoints. (Pope Francis, Homily at Santa Marta, 5 May 2015)

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Pelayan Atasan Tertinggi / Most High Servant,
Yesus, Maria, Yusuf Pelayanan Kasih / Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)

My vocation is Blessed and Saints.

"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God."

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."

Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all
(Luke 1:38)