Today's Reading

REFLECTION:

Do we rely on the Lord’s help in everything we do or do we just rely on our own strength?

 

Lord, I can do nothing without You. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philipians 4:13).

1st READING in one year

 

Christianity is unique in its claims and as Christians we recognize that we have a particular responsibility as regards one aspect of this uniqueness, namely, that it is only through Jesus that there is salvation. This does not necessarily mean that only Christians will be saved, but that anyone who is saved has been saved through the grace of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and by no other means. This truth means that we have a compelling duty to share this message with others, particularly those who have never heard the Gospel. We must always respect an individual’s right to choose what religion/faith they will follow but this respect does not mean that we should be silent about our own beliefs.

 

Acts 4:1-12

1 After the crippled man had been cured, while Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, 2 disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word came to believe and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly class. 7 They brought them into their presence and questioned them, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, 10 then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. 11 He is ‘the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalms 118:1-2, 4, 22-24, 25-27

R: The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 2 Let the house of Israel say, “His mercy endures forever.”4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His mercy endures forever.”(R) 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 By the LORD has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. 24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. (R) 25 O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the house of the LORD. 27 The LORD is God, and he has given us light. (R)