＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 13:44-52

 The following Sabbath almost the entire city gathered to listen to Paul,

who spoke a fairly long time about the Lord. But the presence of such a crowd made the Jews jealous. So they began to oppose with insults whatever Paul said.

Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out firmly, saying, “It was necessary that God’s word be first proclaimed to you, but since you now reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we turn to non-Jewish people. For thus we were commanded by the Lord: I have set you as a light to the pagan nations, so that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Those who were not Jews rejoiced when they heard this and praised the message of the Lord, and all those destined for everlasting life believed in it. Thus the Word spread throughout the whole region.

Some of the Jews, however, incited God-fearing wom­en of the upper class and the leading men of the city, as well, and stirred up an intense persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Finally they had them expelled from their region. The apostles shook the dust from their feet in protest against this people and went to Iconium, leaving the disciples filled with joy and Holy Spirit.

 

Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 14:7-14

If you know me, you will know the Father also; indeed you know him and you have seen him.”

Philip asked him,“Lord, show us the Father and that is enough.”  Jesus said to him, “What! I have been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever sees me sees the Father; how can you say: ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?

All that I say to you, I do not say of my­self. The Father who dwells in me is doing his own work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; at least believe it on the evidence of these works that I do.

Truly, I say to you, the one who believes in me will do the same works that I do; and he will even do greater than these, for I am going to the Father. Everything you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. And everything you ask in calling upon my Name, I will do.

 

Gospel Reflection：

In the first reading, Paul and Barnabas speak firmly about the fact that the preaching of the Good News was now open not just to Israel but even to Gentiles – thereby setting in motion the fulfillment of Jesus’ command to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

It’s an endeavor that is increasingly becoming challenging and difficult since the adversaries of the gospel message are not only increasing in number, they are also becoming increasingly belligerent.

And yet Jesus’ words in the Gospel further bear witness to the all-embracing mission which is now firmly in the hands of his disciples: to preach the truth that Jesus came from the Father himself who had sent him in order that all may know him and be gathered in his name.

Jesus is presented as the one and only true path to the Father pray for the grace to be steadfast in your desire to bring Jesus to everyone you meet: at home, at work, wherever it is you may find yourself. Pray that in you and through you, everyone you meet may encounter Christ.