Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day, says the Lord - Daily Bible Readings May 9,2014

1^ST READING

 

Persecution was part of the way of life of the Early Church. This shows how robust the Gospel truths are because they were able to endure such persecution. In fact, persecution makes the faith stronger. In times of persecution, you find out who your real friends are — those who are committed to a common cause, no matter what the consequences of such a commitment may be.

 

Acts 8:1-8

1 There broke out a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him. 3 Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment. 4 Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Thus Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. 6 With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured. 8 There was great joy in that city.

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

1 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, 2 sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. 3 Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds! (R) 4 Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!” 5 Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam. (R) 6 He has changed the sea into dry land; through the river they passed on foot; therefore let us rejoice in him. 7 He rules by his might forever. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

Jesus’ love for us is not selective — He loves all people and redeems them. The Jews had an exclusivist understanding of the blessings of God. Only rarely were non-Jews considered to be blessed by God. The Christian Gospel does not make distinctions like this. We believe that the Good News of salvation is for everyone and that it is our duty to share it with them. Let us do everything in our power to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day, says the Lord.

 

John 6:35-40

35 Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. 36 But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. 37 Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, 38 because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 39 And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

think: Let us do everything in our power to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

 

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 19-22