May 11 2022

First reading Acts 12:24-13:5

‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart’

The word of God continued to spread and to gain followers. Barnabas and Saul completed their task and came back from Jerusalem, bringing John Mark with them.

In the church at Antioch the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

So these two, sent on their mission by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. They landed at Salamis and proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; John acted as their assistant.

Responsorial Psalm 66(67):2-3,5-6,8

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

Alleluia!

O God, be gracious and bless us

and let your face shed its light upon us.

So will your ways be known upon earth

and all nations learn your saving help.

Let the nations be glad and exult

for you rule the world with justice.

With fairness you rule the peoples,

you guide the nations on earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you.

May God still give us his blessing

till the ends of the earth revere him.

Gospel John 12:44-50

I, the light, have come into the world

Jesus declared publicly:

‘Whoever believes in me

believes not in me

but in the one who sent me,

and whoever sees me,

sees the one who sent me.

I, the light, have come into the world,

so that whoever believes in me

need not stay in the dark any more.

If anyone hears my words and does not keep them faithfully,

it is not I who shall condemn him,

since I have come not to condemn the world,

but to save the world.

He who rejects me and refuses my words has his judge already:

the word itself that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day.

For what I have spoken does not come from myself;

no, what I was to say,

what I had to speak,

was commanded by the Father who sent me,

and I know that his commands mean eternal life.

And therefore what the Father has told me

is what I speak.’

_________________________

True light from true light

“I have come into the world as light, to prevent anyone who believes in
me from staying in the dark any more”. Jesus is the light that reveals the
true face of God the Father. Jesus is the light that reaches into the dark
shadowy areas of pride and hatred in our lives and brings His healing
presence of mercy and peace. Jesus declares and calls out to us to
believe in Him by allowing ourselves to be bathed in the light of His love
so that we may be saved and be in an intimate relationship with God.
Today, we have the freedom to accept or reject Him; we have the choice
to take a step towards the light or to remain in darkness.

Today, let us put our faith in Jesus. He, the Light, will always lead us
along the way towards communion with God. With Jesus, we are not
afraid. Let our faith lead us to live for others who are still living in
darkness. Let us be lights that shine and point them in the direction of
Jesus, the Light.

Question for reflection:
How can I live in the light of Christ today?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.