First reading Acts 14:21-27
They gave an account to the church of all that God had done with them
Paul and Barnabas went back through Lystra and Iconium to Antioch. They put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith. ‘We all have to experience many hardships’ they said ‘before we enter the kingdom of God.’ In each of these churches they appointed elders, and with prayer and fasting they commended them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.
They passed through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. Then after proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia and from there sailed for Antioch, where they had originally been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.
On their arrival they assembled the church and gave an account of all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the pagans.
Responsorial Psalm 144(145):8-13a
I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.
or
Alleluia!
The Lord is kind and full of compassion,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all,
compassionate to all his creatures.
I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.
or
Alleluia!
All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,
and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign
and declare your might, O God,
to make known to men your mighty deeds
and the glorious splendour of your reign.
I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.
or
Alleluia!
Yours is an everlasting kingdom;
your rule lasts from age to age.
I will bless your name for ever, O God my King.
or
Alleluia!
Second reading Apocalypse 21:1-5
A vision of the heavenly Jerusalem, the bride of the Lamb
I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, ‘You see this city? Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them; they shall be his people, and he will be their God; his name is God-with-them. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone.’
Then the One sitting on the throne spoke: ‘Now I am making the whole of creation new.’
Gospel John 13:31-33,34-35
In the Son of Man, God has been glorified
When Judas had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another;
just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples.’
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Love
“Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, ‘You see this city? Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them; they shall be his people, and they will be their God; his name is God-with-them. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. ” (2nd reading). Let these words from the book of Revelation bring comfort to us. God is not an indifferent or distant God. He is close to us, taking care of us, comforting us and guiding us. He is involved in every aspect of our lives. His constant presence is our source of daily strength and peace, especially in troubled and uncertain times.
“I give you a new commandment: love one another…” (The gospel). God’s constant and unwavering presence in our lives empowers us to love others in our lives. We show our love to others by offering a listening ear, saying a kind word, being patient, showing forgiveness, etc. We are called to follow Jesus’ example of love and service.
Reflective question:
How can I live out the commandment to love today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
