First Reading

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 

Acts 5:27-33

In those days, the guards brought the apostles before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest questioned them, saying: «We ordered you not to teach in that name, yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to make us responsible for that man’s blood.»

Peter and the other apostles replied: «We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. The hand of God exalted him and made him leader and savior, to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.»

This response exasperated them, and they decided to kill them.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John 

John 3:31-36

«The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever accepts his testimony certifies that God is truthful. The one whom God sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without measure.

The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.»