＊＊＊ 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.

 

Ps 34:2 & 9, 17-18, 19-20

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 3:31-36

 He who comes from above is above all; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and his words, too, are earthly. The One who comes from heav­en speaks of the things he has seen and heard; he bears witness to this 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 without measure. For 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.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

Contrasts are meant to highlight the differences of two variables. Here Jesus uses the art of contrast to drive His point. The gist is that He comes from the Father and speaks of His own intimate encounter with Him.

All others speak from their own little knowledge and scarce experience of the Father. Thus He is the most credible among all who speaks of the Father. May we always listen to Jesus’ voice and distinguish it from among other voices who pretends to be God’s spokesperson here on earth.