1ST READING
Paul
strings out his trial by appealing to Caesar, not because he thinks he
will get a fairer deal in Rome, but a few extra months of freedom will
give him further opportunities to proclaim the Gospel. Paul is
singleminded in his desire to proclaim the Gospel. He believes there is
nothing more important than this goal in his life.
Acts 25:13-21
13 King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. 14 Since
they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king,
saying, “There is a man here left in custody by Felix. 15 When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. 16 I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an
accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge. 17 So
when they came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my
seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. 19 Instead
they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a
certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. 20 Since
I was
at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were
willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. 21 And
when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s
decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
P S A L M
Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20
R: The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; (R)11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. (R)19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the Lord, all you his angels, you mighty in strength, who do his bidding. (R)
GOSPEL
Peter
has to answer three times to questions of where his allegiance lies. He
gets frustrated with the questions, but it is probably fair enough
given that he denied Jesus three times a few weeks earlier. We will all
have failures in our life of discipleship but let us not lose heart.
Even the most prominent of the Apostles made mistakes. God will forgive
us our mistakes, most especially if we hold on and bounce back, ready
for service again.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you.
John 21:15-19
15 After
Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with
them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more
than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He
then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you
love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said
to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do
you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you
know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Amen,
amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself
and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out
your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do
not want to go.” 19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he
said to him, “Follow me.”
think: God will forgive us our mistakes, most especially if we hold on and bounce back, ready for service again.
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 1 Kings 1-2
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