Saturday in the fourth week of Easter

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
It is curious that suddenly there is talk of Paul and his companions. Barnabas went to get him in Tarsus as a helper. He went with Saul to Jerusalem to bring money. Saul is last in the list of those sent in Antioch. In Cyprus, he suddenly becomes Paul and will not relinquish leadership. Barnabas becomes second in command and will not even see the next missionary journey. Since we know the amazing personality of Paul, not only in Acts but also from his letters, this can no longer surprise us.

FIRST READING Acts 13:44-52

We address ourselves henceforth to the Gentiles.

From the Acts of the Apostles

The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered together
to listen to the word of God.
At the sight of that great crowd
the Jews became very envious
and answered Paul’s exposition
with taunts.
Then Paul and Barnabas boldly declared :
“To you, though the word of God had to be spoken first ,
but since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life,
therefore henceforth we address ourselves to the Gentiles.
“For thus reads the Lord’s command to us :
I have placed thee as a light unto the Gentiles ,
that thou mayest reach to the ends of the earth for salvation.”
When the Gentiles heard this
they rejoiced and glorified the word of God,
and all who were destined to eternal life
accepted the faith.
The word of the Lord spread throughout that region,
but the Jews incited the God-fearing women
who came from the leading circles
as well as the city’s leading citizens ;
they caused a persecution against Paul and Barnabas
and expelled them from their territory
These shook the dust from their feet
in token that they had broken with them
and went to Ikonium.
The disciples, however, were filled with joy
and of the Holy Spirit.

INTERLUDIUM              Ps. 98(97), 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

All the earth beheld
what our God did for us.

Sing to the Lord a new song
because He did wonders.
His hand asserted itself powerfully,
the power of his holy arm

His benefits He made known to us,
the peoples His justice.
Again His goodness and faithfulness were shown
in favour of Israel’s house.

All the earth beheld
what our God did for us.
Glorify the Lord, all nations,
be glad, rejoice and sing.

ALLELUIA

Alleluia.
He who called all into existence
and took care of us, His people,
He is risen, Christ the Lord!
Alleluia.

GOSPEL             Jn 14:7-14

Whoever sees Me, sees the Father.

From the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
John

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples :
“If you would know Me you would also know My Father.
“Already now ye know Him and see Him.”
To this Philip said :
“Lord, show us the Father ;
that is enough for us. “And Jesus again :
“I have been with you so long and ye know Me not yet Philip ?
“Whoever sees Me sees the Father.
“How then can ye say :
Show us the Father?
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?
“The words which I say to you I do not speak of Myself,
but it is the Father who,
abiding in Me, performs His work.
“Believe Me :
I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.
“Or else believe it for the sake of works.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you :
he who believes in Me
shall also himself do the works that I do.
“Yea, greater than these shall he do
because I go to the Father.
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name,
I will do it
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
“If ye shall ask Me anything in My Name
i will do it.”

________________________________________________________________

Fratelli tutti
Encyclical of
Pope Francis
On brotherhood and social friendship

280. At the same time, we ask God to strengthen unity in the Church,
a unity enriched by diversity that is
is reconciled by the action of the Holy Spirit. “All of us […] are
after all, baptised by one Spirit into one body (1 Cor. 12:13), in which each has
makes his specific contribution. As St Augustine said, “the ear sees
through the eye and hears the eye through the ear”. The
is also urgent to continue witnessing to a path of encounter
between the different Christian confessions. We must not
forget the desire that Jesus expressed: that “all may be one
be one” (Jn 17:21). Listening to his invitation, we acknowledge with
sorrow that the process of globalisation continues to undermine the prophetic and spiritual
contribution of unity among all Christians. Nevertheless, “we have
even if we are still on the road to full communion, from now on we have the
duty to give a common witness of God’s love for
all by working together in the service of humanity”.

To be continued
Every day at 1 am