2ND WEEK OF EASTER
Psalter: Week 2 / (White)
Ps 34:2 & 9, 17-18, 19-20
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
1st Reading: Acts 5:27-33
So they brought them in and made them stand before the Council; and the High Priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders not to preach such a Savior; but you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching; and you intend charging us with the killing of this man.” To this, Peter and the apostles replied, “Better for us to obey God, rather than any human authority!
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a wooden post. God set him at his right hand, as Leader and Savior, to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses to all these things, as well as the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When the Council heard this, they became very angry and wanted to kill them.
Gospel: Jn 3:31-36
He who comes from above is above all; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth, and his words belong to the earth. He who comes from heaven speaks of the things he has seen and heard; he bears witness to these things, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does receive his testimony acknowledges the truthfulness of God.
The one sent by God speaks God’s words, and gives the Spirit unstintingly. The Father loves the Son and has entrusted everything into his hands. Whoever believes in the Son lives with eternal life; but he who will not believe in the Son will never know life, and always faces the justice of God.
REFLECTION:
The guides that excel are those who are native to the place. They know of things that are not accessible to those who just studied. They have the feel of the lay of the place. That is why Jesus is an excellent teacher of the things in heaven. He guides like nobody can to have these treasures coming from above because He came from there. He co-authored these good things. So those who receive Him and His teachings have these things in abundance. That is why only the teachings of Jesus is worthy of our trust. The elaborations of men and women of these teachings have to pass through prudent scrutiny. Some of them will try to legitimize their human understanding of Jesus’ teachings by claiming a title and dignity beyond their scope. Hence we have a “bird of prey from the East,” we also have “the Chosen Son of God” and the likes. They may be good men or women. But only one guide comes from heaven, Jesus the Christ. It is to Him that we should pledge our allegiance and faith.
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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