April 17, 2004, Wednesday of the third week of Easter.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

There broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem,

and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles.

Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him.

Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church.

Entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment.

Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.

Thus Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.

With one accord the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip,

when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.

For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people,

and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured. There was great joy in that city.

The Word of the Lord.

The responsorial Psalm, the response is,

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Shout joyfully to God all the earth, sing praise to the glory of his name,

proclaim his glorious praise.

Say to God, how tremendous are your deeds.

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you.

Sing praise to your name.

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