Daily Readings for April 30, 2016

1ST READING

Even though he argues that circumcision is not necessary, Paul still has Timothy circumcised. He knows this will pave the way in the communities where they will preach. Paul is the arch pragmatist when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel. He is always ready to do what is necessary to ensure the best reception of the Gospel in the place where he is evangelizing.

Acts 16:1-10

1 Paul reached also Derbe and Lystra where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him, 3 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. 4 As they traveled from city to city, they handed on to the people for observance the decisions reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem. 5 Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number. 6 They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them, 8 so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas. 9 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.” 10 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.

P S A L M

Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5

R: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; 2 serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song. (R) 3 Know that the Lord is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. (R) 5 The Lord is good, his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus warns His disciples that they will be persecuted if they follow Him. This is not a consoling thing to say to the people who will continue your legacy when you are gone. We must also hear the words of Jesus because they apply to us just as much as they apply to the men and women who followed Him before. In fact, these words of Jesus are forever applicable to the life of all His disciples.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

John 15:18-21

18 Jesus said to his disciples: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. 19 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. 20 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. 21 And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.”