May 1 2025

First reading Acts 5:27-33

We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit

When the officials had brought the apostles in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation. ‘We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.’ In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

This so infuriated them that they wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm 33(34):2,9,17-20

This poor man called and the Lord heard him.
or
Alleluia!

I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

The Lord turns his eyes to the just
and his ears to their appeal.
They call and the Lord hears
and rescues them in all their distress.

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;
those whose spirit is crushed he will save.
Many are the trials of the just man
but from them all the Lord will rescue him.

Gospel John 3:31-36

The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything to him

John the Baptist said to his disciples:

‘He who comes from above is above all others;

he who is born of the earth is earthly himself

and speaks in an earthly way.

He who comes from heaven

bears witness to the things he has seen and heard,

even if his testimony is not accepted;

though all who do accept his testimony

are attesting the truthfulness of God,

since he whom God has sent

speaks God’s own words:

God gives him the Spirit without reserve.

The Father loves the Son

and has entrusted everything to him.

Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life,

but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life:

the anger of God stays on him.’

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A life lived fully for God

“Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as if it were for the Lord and not for men, knowing that the Lord will repay you by making you his heirs. It is Christ the Lord that you are serving” (Alternative first reading, Colossians 3:17). Are we Christ-centered people? Do we embody the Gospel values, such as love, justice, honesty, forgiveness, and humility, into every aspect of our lives, including our workplaces? Often, we compartmentalise our faith in God, our work and social lives as separate activities. As Christians, we need to integrate our faith into all areas of our lives so that our everyday routines become extraordinary opportunities to express and reflect our love for Christ.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St Joseph the Worker. St Joseph did not do extraordinary deeds. Instead, he led a quiet life as a carpenter and fulfilled his responsibility in caring for Mary and Jesus. Yet through living his life for God, he became a testimony to God’s loving presence. Let us ask St Joseph to help us live fully for God.

Reflective question:
Do I integrate faith into my daily life?

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