1ST READING
What do you think drove Paul, Barnabas and others to give their lives to spreading the Christian Gospel? It is never easy to begin a “new thing” as one must overcome the prejudices of the status quo in order to make it happen. You need to believe in the rightness of what you are doing. This requires incredible conviction and perseverance.
Acts 14:21-27
21 After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news to that city and made a considerable number of disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. 22 They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” 23 They appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. 24 Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. 25 After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now accomplished. 27 And when they arrived, they called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
P S A L M
Psalm 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13
R: I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. 9 The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works. (R) 10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might. (R) 12 Let them make known your might to the children of Adam, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations. (R)
2ND READING
Christianity is about constant renewal. The Spirit of God draws us deeper into the mysteries of our faith so that we know Him better and become more effective witnesses of the Good News to others. There is no point in dreaming about a new heaven and a new earth, unless we commit ourselves to building it. There will be no universal justice without people laying down their lives to achieve it. What we need today are selfless men and women who give themselves in the service of the Gospel.
Revelation 21:1-5
1 Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” 5 The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
GOSPEL
Jesus speaks about the power of the lived witness of the Gospel. People will recognize you as Christians by the love you have for each other. This is an integral part of proclaiming the Gospel — living it to the full. People are convinced when they see that you are committed to a way of life, no matter what the cost may be. This is the truest form of discipleship.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you.
John 13:31-33, 34-35
31 When Judas had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. 33 My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. 34 I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. 35 This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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