Daily Readings for May 11, 2016

1ST READING

 

Communities suffer because of purveyors of false doctrine, and also because the leaders are not diligent enough in the work of formation and discipleship. The latter is the bigger problem as it indicates a systemic problem within the leadership that will lead to the community’s demise. We need leaders who are selfless and ready for hard work. True leaders are faced with the challenge of raising disciples as well as creating an environment that is conducive to discipleship.

 

Acts 20:28-38

28 At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. 30 And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. 31 So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. 33 I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. 35 In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, 38 for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

 

P S A L M 109

 

Psalm 68:29-30, 33-35, 35-36

R: Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

28 [29] Show forth, O God, your power, the power, O God, with which you took our part; 29 [30] for your temple in Jerusalem let the kings bring you gifts. (R) 32 [33] You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, chant praise to the Lord 33 [34] who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens. Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power. 34 [35] Confess the power of God! (R) Over Israel in his majesty; his power is in the skies. 35 [36] Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus has given us His Word through which we are sanctified in the truth. Every word that Jesus speaks to us is true. This is a great consolation to us since one of the most difficult aspects of working in the world is the commitment of others to a particular task or cause. It is hard to trust someone when they have let us down before. With Jesus, this is never the case because He fulfills all His promises.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.

 

John 17:11-19

11 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. 12 When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. 14 I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. 16 They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 17 Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 19 And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”