Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen (d. 1622)

Readings of the day: RB 66 The Porter of the Monastery

Mass: Ac 11:19-26; Resp Ps 86; Jn 10:22-30

ALL YOU NATIONS, PRAISE THE LORD.

(Resp Ps 87)

It’s a busy scene in the Acts of the Apostles: those scattered by the persecution wasted no time—they preached the word to the Jews; others proclaimed the word to the Greeks.

The hand of the Lord was with them; a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

Barnabas goes to Antioch and sees the grace of God—he rejoiced and encouraged all of them to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart.

A large number of people was added to the Lord.

Barnabas finds Saul and brings him to Antioch—for the whole year they met with the Church.

They taught a large number of people.

IN ANTIOCH THE DISCIPLES WERE FIRST CALLED CHRISTIANS.

LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD AND GIVE GLORY TO GOD,

FOR THE LORD OUR GOD THE ALMIGHTY REIGNS, ALLELUIA.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

Living and true God,

May we, like the early Christians, remain faithful in firmness of heart.

Amen.

Life only makes sense when it is given as gift.

It becomes tasteless when it is lived for itself alone.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, April 24, 2018)