Monday of The 5th Week of Easter, 11 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord, by your grace we are made one in mind and heart. Give us a love for what you command and a longing for what you promise, so that, amid this world’s changes, our hearts may be set on the world of lasting joy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. men.

All who love me will be loved by my Father,
and I shall love them and show myself to them.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:21-26 (NLT)

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them.
And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 14:5-18 (NLT)

Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. And there they preached the Good News.

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe

While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them.
__________

Responsorial Psalm 115 (NLT)

+ Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Why let the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands.
They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see.
And those who make idols are just like them,
as are all who trust in them.

+ Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

O Israel, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.
All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!
He is your helper and your shield.
The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
He will bless those who fear the Lord,
both great and lowly.

+ Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

May the Lord richly bless both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
The heavens belong to the Lord,
but he has given the earth to all humanity.
Praise the Lord both now and forever!

+ Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
__________

Psalm 115 (Not to Us) – Aaron Keyes

Closing: John 14:23

“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”

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