Father Damien Apostle of the lepers
Invitation
May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation wants to share with You the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, no one excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day.
Consideration: from the letters of Father Damien
At the foot of the altar we find the strength we need. Without the Holy Eucharist, I would not last. But because I know the Lord by my side, I always remain cheerful and happy. Jesus is a tender companion to those who desire to serve Him. So do not be afraid to confide your deepest miseries to Him in your loneliest hours, to present to Him your fears and worries, your plans too, your hopes. Do so with great confidence and with a sincere heart.
(Father Damien, Kohala, December 13, 1881)
FIRST READING Acts 15, 1-6
A battle question is presented to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.
From the Acts of the Apostles
In those days there were some men who had come from Judea
and proclaimed to the brethren the doctrine :
“If ye be not circumcised according to Mosaic custom ,
you cannot be saved.”
When strife arose over this
and Paul and Barnabas
got into a fierce altercation with them,
they instructed Paul and Barnabas
and some other members of the congregation
with this controversial question
to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.
After they had been seen off by the congregation
they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria,
where they brought great joy to all the brethren
by telling of the conversion of the Gentiles.
On their arrival at Jerusalem
they were received by the congregation,
the apostles and the elders,
and they told all
what God had accomplished with their cooperation.
But some believers,
from the party of the Pharisees
stood up and declared
that they should be circumcised,
and compel them to keep the Law of Moses.
So the apostles and the elders met
to consider this matter.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 122(121), 1-2, 3-4a, 4b-5
How glad was I, when they called me :
We are going to God’s house !
or : Alleluia.
How happy was I, when I was called :
We are going to God’s house!
Now my foot, Jerusalem,
may enter your gates.
Jerusalem, walled city,
built so close together:
To thee do the tribes march,
the tribes of God’s people.
They go according to Israel’s custom
worship the Name of God.
There stand the seats of justice,
the throne of David’s house.
ALLELUIA John 10, 27
Alleluia.
My sheep listen to My voice, says the Lord,
and I know them and they follow Me.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL John 15, 1-8
He who abides in Me as I abide in him who bears much fruit.
From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
John
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples :
“I am the true vine
and My Father is the vine grower.
“Every vine on Me that bears no fruit
He cuts off ;
and every branch that does bear fruit
He purifies, that it may bear more fruit.
“Thou art already pure
thanks to the word that I have spoken to you.
“Abide in Me
then I abide in you.
“Just as the vine cannot bear fruit by itself
but only if it abides on the vine,
neither do ye if ye abide not in Me.
“I am the vine, ye are the tendrils.
“He who abides in Me while I abide in him
who bears much fruit,
for apart from Me ye can do nothing.
“If anyone does not abide in Me
he is cast away like the vine and withers;
one brings them together, throws them into the fire and they burn.
“If ye abide in Me and My words abide in you
then ask what ye want and ye shall have it.
“By this my Father is glorified :
That ye bear rich fruit ;
So shall ye be My disciples.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclic by
POPE FRANCIS
On caring for the common home
Environmental dialogue in international politics
165. We know that technology based on highly polluting fossil fuels – especially coal, but also oil and to a lesser extent gas – must be replaced gradually and without delay. In anticipation of a broad development of renewable energy, which should have already started, it is legitimate to choose the lesser evil or resort to provisional solutions. However, the international community is not reaching adequate agreements on the responsibility of those who must bear the greatest costs of the energy transition. In recent decades, environmental issues have given rise to a broad public debate, which has created space in civil society for remarkable commitment and generous dedication. Politics and industry are slow to respond and far from up to the global challenges. In this sense, it can be said that while the humanity of the post-industrial era will perhaps be listed as one of the most irresponsible in history, it is to be wished that humanity at the beginning of the 20th century can go down in history for having nobly shouldered its own heavy responsibilities.
To be continued
The Bible text in this issue is taken from The New Bible Translation,
©Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.
Considerations from Liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation
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