FIRST READING
“We bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 14:5 -18)
In those days: When an attempt was made [at Iconium] by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to molest Paul and Barnabas and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; and there they preached the gospel. Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and walked. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
The word of the Lord
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 115:1-2.3-4. 15- 16 (R. lab)
R/. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
Or: Alleluia.
Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name give the glory,
for your merciful love and fidelity.
Why should the nations say:
“Where is their God?” R/.
But our God is in the heavens;
he does whatever he wills.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands. R/.
R/. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
Or: Alleluia.
May you be blest by the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
The heavens, the heavens belong to the Lord,
but to the children of men, he has given the earth. R/.
ALLELUIA John 14:26
Alleluia. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send will teach you all things.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 14:21-26)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
The Gospel of the Lord
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Jesus makes the assertion that keeping his commandments is equal to loving him. And loving him means being an object of the love of the father who, together with the Son, will make his home in us. To be the home of the Father and the Son and the spirit who proceeds from them, the Blessed Trinity! To have the Holy Trinity living in us! We are so precious as to be little homes for God to dwell in. God can dwell only where there is love, for God is love. Loving God means loving one another. All the commandments are summarized in this one word: love. To be a loving person means to be a home for God to dwell in. Barnabas and Paul show in today’s first reading what it means to be a dwelling place of God. Lord, cleanse me and make me pure so that I may be a worthy home for you.