Reading 1 Acts 11:19-26
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
Responsorial Psalm PS 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
“This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Jn 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 10:22-30
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
"TAKE MY HAND"
"The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number of them believed and were converted to the Lord." –Acts 11:21
God's hand makes it possible to convert great numbers of people. God's hand holds and protects us. Because there can be no snatching out of His hand (Jn 10:28-29), we have perfect security in His love. Even death cannot snatch us from God's hand, for the souls of the just who have died "are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them" (Wis 3:1).
If we sin, God's hand will weigh heavily on us night and day until we repent (Ps 32:4). His hand is so heavy because He loves us so much that He will try to prevent us from self-destruction through sin. In fact, our names are written on the palms of His hands (Is 49:16). Next to our names, His hands are also marked with the nails of His crucifixion and death for love of us.
God's hands are different than any other hands. His hands look and love differently. The risen Jesus is saying to you: "Take your finger and examine My hands" (Jn 20:27; see also Lk 24:39). "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:31).
| PRAYER: | "Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home." |
| PROMISE: | "My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish." –Jn 10:27-28 |
| PRAISE: | Roger weeps for joy when looking upon a crucifix. |
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