Daily Readings for May 12, 2018

1st READING

Let us cooperate with our fellow workers in the vineyard. There is no room for rivalry or spite in the preaching of the Gospel. We have differences with other Christian denominations and groups, but let us strive to achieve unity rather than division. We belong to the Catholic Church, the biggest and oldest Christian community. As Catholics, let us make the first move and initiate an ecumenical dialogue.

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 

What we ask from God in Jesus’ name should be aligned to His will. For example, God may not reveal to us the lotto numbers for next week but He will act upon a request for the success of an evangelistic rally next weekend. Let us not trivialize the promises of God; let us be faithful to the spirit in which they are given.

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.”