Invitation
May I take this opportunity to 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 hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day
CONSIDERATION
We listen to the second part of Paul’s farewell address to the elders of Ephesus at Miletus. This section contains personal and moving elements, but as Paul’s ‘testament’, as recorded by Luke, it is intended for the whole Church. It calls upon those in positions of responsibility within the Church to take great care of those entrusted to them. The Church is God’s Work – and all these recommendations remain valid today.
FIRST READING Acts20:28–38
I entrust you to God, who has the power to build you up and grant you your inheritance.
From the Acts of the Apostles
In those days, Paul said to the leaders of the church in Ephesus:
“Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock
over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers
to shepherd the Church of God,
which He purchased with His own blood.
“I know that after my departure,
fierce wolves will come in among you,
who will not spare the flock;
and that even from your own number men will arise
who will speak perverse things
to draw away the disciples.
“Therefore be on your guard
and remember that for three years,
—for three years, day and night—
have exhorted each of you with tears.
“And now I entrust you to God,
and to the word of his grace,
which has the power to build you up
and grant you the inheritance with all the sanctified.
“I have asked no one for silver, gold or clothing.
“You yourselves know
that these hands have provided for my own needs
and for those of my companions.
“In everything I have shown you
that by working in this way one must help the weak,
and that you must bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus.
“For he has said:
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
After these words, he knelt down with them all and prayed.
They all began to weep aloud,
threw their arms round Paul and kissed him,
grieved above all because he had said
that they would never see him again.
Then they accompanied him to the ship.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 68(67), 29-30, 33-35a, 35b-36c
Sing now to God, kingdoms of the earth.
or:Alleluia.
Let all, O God, experience your power,
the power with which you stand up for us.
Let kings adorn your sanctuary in Jerusalem
with their gifts.
Sing now to God, kingdoms of the earth:
He draws near along the vault of heaven.
There his voice resounds with mighty sound:
acknowledge now God’s dominion.
His majesty appears above the fields of Israel,
his power in threatening clouds.
God is awesome in his holy domain,
He bestows renown and strength upon his people:
blessed be the God of Israel!
ALLELUIA Col . 3:1
Alleluia.
If then you have been raised to life with Christ,
seek the things that are above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL John17:11b-19
That they may be one, just as We are!
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to
John
At that time, Jesus raised His eyes to heaven and said:
“Holy Father,
keep in your Name those whom you have given me,
so that they may be one as we are one.
“While I was with them,
I kept in your Name those whom you have given me.
“I have guarded them,
and not one of them has been lost,
except the man of perdition,
for the Scripture had to be fulfilled.
“But now I am coming to You,
and whilst I am still in the world I say this,
so that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
“I have made Your word known to them,
but the world has hated them
because they are not of the world,
just as I am not of the world.
“Sanctify them in the truth.
“Your word is truth.
“As You have sent Me into the world,
so I send them into the world,
and for their sake I consecrate Myself to You,
that they too may be consecrated to You in truth.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclical of
Pope Francis
On Care for Our Common Home
121. We are still awaiting the development of a new synthesis that will overcome the
false forms of dialectic of recent centuries. Christianity,
remaining faithful to its identity and the treasure of truth it has received from Jesus Christ,
continually reflects on itself and
re-expresses itself in dialogue with new historical situations,
thus allowing its eternal newness to flourish.
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