Born: 12 July 1803 Died: 28 April 1841 Futuna
First martyr of Oceania
Beatified: 1889 Canonised: 1954
Invitation
May I draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation aims to share with you the joy of the Gospel. Everyone, without exception,
can experience that joy by opening their heart
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day
Consideration
Two of Luke’s perspectives emerge clearly in the reading. Firstly, and repeatedly, the insight that persecution has facilitated missionary work. Secondly, following the official acceptance of the first Gentiles, the mission to the Gentiles also continues. Two further points are worth noting. Antioch is a large, important city and will become one of the satellite cities from which initiatives are planned independently. Yet, through Barnabas, the link with the mother church in Jerusalem remains firmly maintained.
FIRST READING Acts 11, 19–26
They also addressed the Greeks and proclaimed the Lord Jesus to them.
From the Acts of the Apostles
In those days,
those who had been scattered because of the persecution
went on to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,
whilst they preached the word only to the Jews.
But there were among them men from Cyprus and Cyrene,
who, upon arriving in Antioch, also addressed the Greeks,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus to them.
The hand of the Lord was with them,
so that a great number believed,
and turned to the Lord.
News of their work
reached the church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
When he arrived there,
and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced,
and encouraged everyone to remain faithful to the Lord with all their heart and soul.
He was a good man,
full of the Holy Spirit and faith.
Many people were won over to the Lord.
He then set out for Tarsus
to look for Saul.
When he had found him,
he brought him to Antioch.
For a full year they took part in the gatherings of that church;
and taught a great multitude.
It was in Antioch
that the disciples were first called Christians.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 87(86), 1-3, 4-5, 6-7
Praise the Lord,
all nations of the earth (Ps. 117(116), 1a).
or:Alleluia.
His city upon the holy mountains:
the Lord loves her.
The gates of Zion far more than
all the tents of Jacob.
How great are the things foretold of you,
Jerusalem, city of God!
One day Egypt and Babylon shall be counted
among those who worship the Lord.
Yes, the Philistines, Tyre and Cush,
they too shall become citizens of Zion.
They shall then say: she is our mother,
from her we were all born.
And He Himself shall declare it,
the Most High, the Lord.
He will write in the book of the nations:
these too belong there.
Then they will dance and sing:
you are the source of our life!
ALLELUIA
Alleluia.
Christ rose from the tomb
and became a Light for all
whom He redeemed with His blood.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL John 10, 22-30
I and the Father, we are one.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
John
At that time,
the Feast of the Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem.
It was winter,
and Jesus was in the temple, in Solomon’s Portico.
The Jews gathered round him
and said to him:
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Messiah,
tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them:
“I have told you,
but you do not believe.
“The works I do in my Father’s name
bear witness to me.
“But you do not believe,
because you do not belong to my sheep.
“My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them,
and they follow me.
“I give them eternal life;
they shall never perish,
and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
“For my Father, who has given them to me,
is greater than all;
and no one can snatch anything out of my Father’s hand.
“I and the Father are one.”
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Laudato Si’
Encyclical of
Pope Francis
On care for our common home
99. According to the Christian understanding of reality, the
destiny of the whole of creation passes through the mystery of Christ, who
has been present from the beginning: “The universe was created through him and
for him” (Col 1:16) 80. The prologue of the Gospel of John (1:1–18)
reveals the creative activity of Christ as the divine Word (logos).
Yet this prologue surprises us with its assertion that this Word “became flesh”
(John 1:14). A Person of the Trinity has entered
into the created cosmos and shared its destiny right up to the cross.
From the beginning of the world, but in a special way since the Incarnation,
the mystery of Christ is at work in a hidden manner
throughout the whole of natural reality without thereby
compromising its autonomy.
To be continued
Every day at 1 am
The Bible text in this edition is taken fromThe New Bible Translation,
©Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap 2004/2007.
Reflections from Liturgical Suggestions for Weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation