1ST READING
Paul sets two rival groups against each other to distract them from getting together on the one issue that unites them. He is an astute man when it comes to politics. We saw a similar sort of ingenuity when he discovered the grave to the unknown God in Athens and proceeded to tell the Greeks that he knows the name of this God, namely Jesus. We need to pray for the grace to be able to think as quickly as Paul does when the situation demands it.
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
30 Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he freed him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. 23: 6 Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. 9 A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, “We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue him from their midst and take him into the compound. 11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome.”
P S A L M
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
R: Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; 2 I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” 5 O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) 7 I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; 10 because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. (R) 11 You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)
GOSPEL
Jesus prays for unity among the believers. This is why disunity among the Christian Churches, within the Christian denominations, within the individual Churches, and within Christian families is a scandal to the proclamation of the Gospel. How are we to convince an unbeliever that we proclaim a Gospel of love and communion when the witness they see is fighting and division?
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the word may believe that you sent me, says the Lord.
John 17:20-26
20 Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. 26 I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.”
1st READING 2nd READING
GOSPEL PSALM`1
TODAY’S
BLESSING
LIST
think: How are we to convince an unbeliever that we proclaim a Gospel of love and communion when the witness they see is fighting and division?
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Sam
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