Daily Bible Readings - May 6,2013

1^ST READING

 

When you are committed to proclaiming the Gospel to the degree that Paul is, any small opening will do. All it takes for the Holy Spirit to begin the work of salvation is a small opening in one’s heart, and God will use that to woo the person into faith. Much of the Acts of the Apostles is interesting, as we can see many different ways that communities, families and individuals opened themselves to the opportunity of faith.

 

Acts 16:11-15

11 We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace, and on the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some time in that city. 13 On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there. 14 One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9

R: The Lord takes delight in his people.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song of praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2 Let Israel be glad in their maker, let the children of Zion rejoice in their king. (R) 3 Let them praise his name in the festive dance, let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory. (R) 5 Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches; 6 let the high praises of God be in their throats. 9 This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus does not leave any room for doubt here. He unequivocally affirms that the Apostles are called to be witnesses to the Gospel. This is true of ourselves as well. We, who have received the gift of salvation, have the duty to share what we have received with as many people as we possibly can. It is both a privilege and a duty to proclaim the Gospel; let us be sure that we are faithful to this calling.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.

 

John 15:26-16:4

26 Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. 27 And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. 16: 1 “I have told you this so that you may not fall away. 2 They will expel you from the  synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God. 3 They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me. 4 I have told you this so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you.”

 

think: All it takes for the Holy Spirit to begin the work of salvation is a small opening in one’s heart, and God will use that to woo the person into faith.

 

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 Deuteronomy 12-15