Daily Readings for May 7, 2016

1ST READING

 

Apollos is a humble man. He admits that he lacks knowledge about the Gospel and is willing to learn. This is a challenge to all preachers and leaders — none of us know nor can do everything well. We need the help of others in accomplishing the work that God has given us. Let us pray for the grace of a teachable heart and the humility to go with it.

Acts 18:23-28

23 After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples. 24 A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wanted to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. After his arrival he gave great assistance to those who had come to believe through grace. 28 He vigorously refuted the Jews in public, establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 47:2-3, 8-9, 10

R: God is king of all the earth.

1 [2] All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. 2 [3] For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. (R) 7 [8] For the king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. 8 [9] God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. (R) 9 [10] The princes of the peoples are gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For God’s are the guardians of the earth; He is supreme. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus prepares the Apostles for His inevitable return to the Father. This means that they will have to continue His mission in His absence. We are more blessed because of this. Jesus affirms this to Thomas after His resurrection. Let us always trust in His promises and goodness to us even when following Him is difficult.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I came from the Father and have come into the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.

John 16:23-28

23 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. 24 Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 25 I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”