1ST READING
Paul
demonstrates that the charges against him are a fabrication as he
causes chaos among his accusers, by demonstrating the lack of coherence
in their arguments. This is precisely what happens when we do not honor
the truth. When truth is put aside and ideas that fall short of
righteousness become the focus, there is no logical argument to sustain
them. All that is left is to appeal to peoples’ emotions and feelings.
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
30 Wishing
to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews,
the Commander 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
is constantly interceding for us before His and our Father. He is the
true intermediary through whom all people must pass before reaching the
Father. It is important that we understand this correctly so that we
properly grasp the idea of the intercession of the saints. They merely
intercede for us before God — they cannot do anything of their own
accord. They are as dependent upon Jesus as we are.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the world 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.”
20
think: Jesus is constantly interceding for us before His and our Father.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Joshua 17-20
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