Saturday of The 7th Week of Easter, 30 May 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Lord Jesus, make us holy by your Spirit. Send your Holy Spirit into our minds and hearts; Grant us a love that is genuine; Renew the hearts of the faithful by your life-giving grace; and Grant us the power of your Spirit to repair our damaged lives. Lord Jesus, make us holy by your Spirit. Amen.

“I will send the Spirit of truth… to guide you into all truth.”

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Psalm 11 – Tim Ophus

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A Reading from the Gospels: John 21:20-25 (NLT)

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

 

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
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Responsorial Psalm 11:4, 5, 7

+ I trust in the Lord for protection.

The Lord is in his holy Temple;
the Lord still rules from heaven.

I trust in the Lord for protection.

He watches everyone closely,
examining every person on earth.

I trust in the Lord for protection.

The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.
He hates those who love violence.

I trust in the Lord for protection.

For the righteous Lord loves justice.
The virtuous will see his face.

I trust in the Lord for protection./em>
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 (NLT)

When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard

Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”
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For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
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“PSsalm 11” (Refuge) – My Soul Among Lions

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Closing: John 16: 7,13 (NLT)

“I will send the Spirit of truth… to guide you into all truth.”

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.