Reading 1
Acts 13:44-52
On the following sabbath
almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Responsorial Psalm R. (3cd)
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gospel
Jn 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to Jesus,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen 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?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
Meditation: Psalm 98:1-4
Why should we sing? Because singing engages our hearts and emo tions as well as our minds, and God cares about our whole person, emotions included. He wants to breathe life into our spirits and minds and bodies. Singing offers him entry into our whole being in a way that ordi nary speech doesn’t. And if we have difficulty opening our hearts, singing can open the pathway for his Spirit to move in us.
So go ahead and sing a new song! Sing of Jesus’ victory on the cross, his victory over sin. Sing because God has given you victory through Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Sing because you do not have to live mired in guilt and shame. Sing because you have access to the Father through the blood of Jesus’ cross. Sing because he who is faithful will cleanse you in the pure water of life. These aren’t things we just hope will happen; they are steadfast promises of God!
Sing of God’s justice, revealed in his unfathomable mercy and kindness toward us. Sing of his unflagging desire that none perish but that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1Timothy 2:4). Sing because he has redeemed you from sin—yes, even the sin you brought upon yourself. Sing because he wants to make you holy and blameless—and because he is faithful and will accomplish it!
Sing because he wants to make you holy and blameless in his sight and in the sight of all those around you. Sing a song of gratitude as he leads you in paths of righteousness today. Sing as he cleanses your con science and gives you rest. Sing of what is pure and right, lovely and good. Sing joyfully as you see his kindness and faithfulness toward you. Sing of your longing to know all of this more; to experience his love and mercy more and more deeply. Sing the new song that all the saints and angels are singing in heaven
right now: “God is good! He has done marvelous things!”
“Father, you are marvelous! I praise you for your goodness in my life. You are faithful, just, and merciful, and I am hungry to experience more of you. Father,I will sing today of your victory and your mercy!”
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