April 20, 2006, Monday of the third week of Easter.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.

Certain members of the so-called synagogue of Friedman,

Srinians and Alexandrians, and people

from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen.

But they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

Then they instigated some men to say,

We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.

They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedron.

They presented false witnesses who testified. This man never stopped saying things against this holy

place and the law, for we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazarean will destroy this place

and change the customs that Moses handed down to us. While those who sat in the Sanhedron looked

intently at him and saw

that his face was like the face of an angel.

The Word of the Lord.

The Responsorial Psalm.

The response is, Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord.

Though princes meet and talk against me,

your servant meditates on your statutes.

Yes, your decrees are my delight.

They are my counselors.

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