FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER — Year C
First Reading: Acts 13:14, 43-52
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Paul and Barnabas traveled on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath day they entered the synagogue and sat down. When the meeting finally broke up, many Jews and devout Jewish converts followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to hold fast to the
grace of God.
The following sabbath, almost the entire city gathered to hear the word of God. When the members of the synagogue saw the crowds, they become very jealous and countered with violent abuse whatever Paul said. Paul and Barnabas spoke out fearlessly, nonetheless: ”The word of God has to be declared to you first of all; but since you reject it and thus convict yourselves as unworthy of everlasting life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For thus were we instructed by God: ‘I have made you a light to the nations, a means of salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and responded to the word of God with praise. All who were destined for life everlasting believed in it. Thus the word of God was carried throughout that area.
But the members of the synagogue worked upon some of the leading men and women of the city and persuaded them to turn against Paul and Barnabas and expel them from their territory. So the two shook the dust from their feet in protest and went on to Iconium; but their disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
The Word of God recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER — Year C
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100
R: We are God’s people, the sheep of God’s pasture.
Make a joyful noise to God,
all the lands!
Serve God with gladness!
Come into God’s presence with singing!
R: We are God’s people; the sheep of God’s pasture.
Know that the Most High is God!
Our God made us, and we belong to this Creator;
We are God’s people
and the sheep of God’s pasture.
R: We are God’s people, the sheep of God’s pasture.
For Our God is good;
God’s steadfast love endures forever,
And God’s faithfulness to all generations.
R: We are God’s people, the sheep of God’s pasture.