Invitation
Let me draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel
This invitation wants to share with you the joy of the Gospel
of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception
can experience this joy by opening his or her heart
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day
Contemplation
Luke may have borrowed today’s story from tradition: the first pagan is baptised. The Ethiopian church goes even further: faith reaches Africa before it reaches Europe. But isn’t it rather a story for every day? Two people walk their own paths that suddenly cross, and each time this becomes a God-given opportunity to do good, to bring God to the table. Sometimes we are Philip and mention God. Other times we are the Ethiopian and God comes to us.
FIRST READING Acts 8:26-40
If you believe with all your heart
you can be baptised.
From the Acts of the Apostles
In those days, an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip:
“Go south
and go up the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza:
it is a lonely road
Philip went on his way.
At the same time, an Ethiopian was returning from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem
from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem;
he was a eunuch,
a courtier of Kándake, the queen of the Ethiopians,
and her chief treasurer.
Sitting in his chariot, he read the prophet Isaiah.
The Spirit spoke to Philip:
“Come close to that chariot
and stay close”
When Philip arrived there
he heard him reading from the prophet Isaiah.
He asked him:
“Do you understand what you read?”
But the Ethiopian replied:
“How could I
if no one helps me?”
He invited Philip to come in
and sit with him.
The scripture he had just read read read as follows:
Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter ;
and like a lamb dumb before its shearer
he did not open his mouth.
By his humiliation his sentence was fulfilled.
who can describe His sacrifice?
For His life was taken from the earth.
Now the chamberlain turned to Philip:
“May I ask of whom the prophet says this?
of himself or of another?”
Philip began to speak
and from this text he announced Jesus to him.
Continuing their way, they came to a fountain
and the courtier said:
“Here is water.
“What is against me being baptised?”
Philip, however, said:
“If you believe with all your heart
so be it.”
He replied:
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”
He stopped the chariot
and both Philip and the eunuch descended into the water
and baptised him.
When they emerged from the water
the Spirit of the Lord seized Philip;
the eunuch saw him no more
and went on his way rejoicing.
However, Philip was found in Azotus.
There he went around
and preached the Good News in all the cities
until he reached Caesarea.
INTRODUCTION Ps 66(65), 8-9, 16-17, 20
May all the peoples of the earth rejoice before God
sing to the honour of his name
or: Alleluia.
Praise now our God, all nations,
proclaim the glory of his deeds.
He saved our lives again and again
and did not let us fall.
Come therefore, you God-fearers, listen to me,
i will tell you what he did to me.
My mouth has always asked Him for help,
my tongue has always praised him.
Praise God, he has not rejected me,
he has not withheld his grace from me.
HALLELUIA Apok. 1, 5ab
Alleluia.
Jesus Christ, faithful witness
firstborn from the dead;
You have loved us
and redeemed us from sin by Your blood.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Jn 6:44-51
I am the living bread that comes down from heaven.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
John
In those days, Jesus said to the crowds:
“No one can come to Me
unless the Father who sent Me draws him ;
and I will raise him up at the last day.
“It is written by the prophets:
And all shall be taught by God.
“All who have heard the teaching of the Father will come to Me
shall come to Me.
“Not that anyone has seen the Father :
only he who is of God has seen the Father.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you :
he that believeth hath eternal life.
“I am the bread of life.
“Your fathers who ate the manna in the desert ,
died;
but this bread comes from heaven
so that everyone who eats from it will not die.
“I am the living bread
who came down from heaven.
“If anyone eats of this bread
he will live forever.
“The bread I will give
is my flesh,
for the life of the world.”
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Fratelli tutti
Encyclical of
Pope Francis
On brotherhood and social friendship
RELIGIONS AT THE SERVICE OF
BROTHERHOOD IN THE WORLD
271. Starting from the recognition of
the value of each human person as a creature called to be a son or daughter of God, to make a valuable contribution to building brotherhood in the world
to make a valuable contribution to the building of brotherhood and the defence of justice in society
brotherhood and the defence of justice in society.
Dialogue between people of different religions is not just a matter of diplomacy, courtesy or tolerance
diplomacy, courtesy or tolerance. As the bishops of
As the bishops of India have taught, “the purpose of dialogue is to establish friendship, peace and harmony, and the sharing of moral and spiritual values”, “the purpose of dialogue is to establish friendship, peace and harmony, and the sharing of values and experiences”
and harmony, and the sharing of moral and spiritual values and experiences
sharing in a spirit of truth and love”.
Continued
The Bible text in this issue is from the New Translation of the Bible,
netherlands Bible Society 2004/2007.
Reflections on liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
Fratelli tutti Official English translation