Daily Readings

Paul reached also Derbe and Lystrawhere there was a disciple named Timothy,the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer,but his father was a Greek.The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him,and Paul wanted him to come along with him.On account of the Jews of that region, Paul had him circumcised,for they all knew that his father was a Greek.As they traveled from city to city,they handed on to the people for observance the decisionsreached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.Day after day the churches grew stronger in faithand increased in number.They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territorybecause they had been prevented by the Holy Spiritfrom preaching the message in the province of Asia.When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia,but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.During the night Paul had a vision.A Macedonian stood before him and implored him with these words,"Come over to Macedonia and help us."When he had seen the vision,we sought passage to Macedonia at once, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them. 

R. (2a) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.or:R. Alleluia.Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;serve the LORD with gladness;come before him with joyful song.R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.or:R. Alleluia.Know that the LORD is God;he made us, his we are;his people, the flock he tends.R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.or:R. Alleluia.The LORD is good:his kindness endures forever,and his faithfulness, to all generations.R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.or:R. Alleluia. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.If then you were raised with Christ,seek what is above,where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Jesus said to his disciples: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;but because you do not belong to the world,and I have chosen you out of the world,the world hates you.Remember the word I spoke to you,'No slave is greater than his master.'If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,because they do not know the one who sent me." 

The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church,decided to choose representativesand to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,and Silas, leaders among the brothers.This is the letter delivered by them:“The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers,to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Ciliciaof Gentile origin: greetings.Since we have heard that some of our numberwho went out without any mandate from ushave upset you with their teachingsand disturbed your peace of mind,we have with one accord decided to choose representativesand to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.So we are sending Judas and Silaswho will also convey this same message by word of mouth:‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of usnot to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,from blood, from meats of strangled animals,and from unlawful marriage.If you keep free of these,you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’“And so they were sent on their journey.Upon their arrival in Antiochthey called the assembly together and delivered the letter.When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation. 

R.        (10a)  I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.or:R.        Alleluia.My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;            I will sing and chant praise.Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!            I will wake the dawn.R.        I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.or:R.        Alleluia.I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,            I will chant your praise among the nations.For your mercy towers to the heavens,            and your faithfulness to the skies.Be exalted above the heavens, O God;            above all the earth be your glory!R.        I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.or:R.        Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.I call you my friends, says the Lord,for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said to his disciples:“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.No one has greater love than this,to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.You are my friends if you do what I command you.I no longer call you slaves,because a slave does not know what his master is doing.I have called you friends,because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.It was not you who chose me, but I who chose youand appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.This I command you: love one another.”

After much debate had taken place,Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters,“My brothers, you are well aware that from early daysGod made his choice among you that through my mouththe Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.And God, who knows the heart,bore witness by granting them the Holy Spiritjust as he did us.He made no distinction between us and them,for by faith he purified their hearts.Why, then, are you now putting God to the testby placing on the shoulders of the disciplesa yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?On the contrary, we believe that we are savedthrough the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.”The whole assembly fell silent,and they listenedwhile Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wondersGod had worked among the Gentiles through them.After they had fallen silent, James responded,“My brothers, listen to me.Symeon has described how God first concerned himselfwith acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name.The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:            After this I shall return                        and rebuild the fallen hut of David;            from its ruins I shall rebuild it                        and raise it up again,            so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,                        even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.            Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,                        known from of old.It is my judgment, therefore,that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols,unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.For Moses, for generations now,has had those who proclaim him in every town,as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”

R.        (3)  Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.or:R.        Alleluia.Sing to the LORD a new song;            sing to the LORD, all you lands.Sing to the LORD; bless his name.R.        Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.or:R.        Alleluia.Announce his salvation, day after day.Tell his glory among the nations;            among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.R.        Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.or:R.        Alleluia.Say among the nations: The LORD is king.He has made the world firm, not to be moved;            he governs the peoples with equity.R.        Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.or:R.        Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;I know them, and they follow me.R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said to his disciples:“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.Remain in my love.If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,just as I have kept my Father’s commandmentsand remain in his love.“I have told you this so thatmy joy might be in you andyour joy might be complete.”