It is always good to look back from time to time and see where we have come from and where we are heading. That is to remember the Lord’s goodness in our lives, of how His mercy and love has freed us to live in the joy of His resurrection. In other words to remember our own salvation history in light of the salvation history of the World through Christ our Lord. We also remember that not too long ago we had renewed our baptismal vows as new creations in Him during Easter Vigil, after having journeyed through the wilderness of our Lenten observances.
Having been faithful and steadfast in our journey it would have led us into the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which is fidelity to God our Father through love and service according to His Will. In joyful expectation of eternal life with Him, we readily lay down our lives for Him and for our brethren. It is our humble servitude that highlights the dignity of Him who has called to Holiness, for we mirror His likeness and image.
Your Will be done Lord now and forever. Amen Alleluia!
St Catherine of Siena pray for us….
First reading
Acts 13:13-25
God has raised up one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour
Paul and his friends went by sea from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia where John left them to go back to Jerusalem. The others carried on from Perga till they reached Antioch in Pisidia. Here they went to synagogue on the sabbath and took their seats. After the lessons from the Law and the Prophets had been read, the presidents of the synagogue sent them a message: ‘Brothers, if you would like to address some words of encouragement to the congregation, please do so.’ Paul stood up, held up a hand for silence and began to speak:
‘Men of Israel, and fearers of God, listen! The God of our nation Israel chose our ancestors, and made our people great when they were living as foreigners in Egypt; then by divine power he led them out, and for about forty years took care of them in the wilderness. When he had destroyed seven nations in Canaan, he put them in possession of their land for about four hundred and fifty years. After this he gave them judges, down to the prophet Samuel. Then they demanded a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin. After forty years, he deposed him and made David their king, of whom he approved in these words, “I have selected David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will carry out my whole purpose.” To keep his promise, God has raised up for Israel one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour, whose coming was heralded by John when he proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the whole people of Israel. Before John ended his career he said, “I am not the one you imagine me to be; that one is coming after me and I am not fit to undo his sandal.”’
Gospel
John 13:16-20
Whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me
After he had washed the feet of his disciples, Jesus said to them:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
no servant is greater than his master,
no messenger is greater than the man who sent him.
‘Now that you know this, happiness will be yours if you behave accordingly. I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: Someone who shares my table rebels against me.
‘I tell you this now, before it happens,
so that when it does happen
you may believe that I am He.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.’
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