First Reading

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 14:5-18

In those days, the pagans and Jews of Iconium, supported by the authorities, began to stir up trouble with the intention of mistreating and stoning Paul and Barnabas. But they became aware of the situation and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and preached the Gospel throughout the region.

There was in Lystra a man crippled in his feet from birth who spent his life sitting and had never been able to walk. The cripple was listening to Paul’s speech, and Paul, looking at him intently, noticed that the man had enough faith to be healed, and he ordered him in a loud voice: “Stand up straight on your feet.” The man jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk. When the people saw what Paul had done, they began to shout in the Lycaonian language: “Gods in the likeness of men have come down to visit us!” They said that Barnabas was the god Jupiter and Paul the god Mercury, because he was the one who spoke.

The priest of the temple of Jupiter, located at the entrance to the city, brought bulls adorned with garlands to the gates, and together with the crowd, wanted to offer them a sacrifice. When they realized all this, the apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments and rushed into the crowd, shouting:

“Men, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you. We preach the Gospel to you to turn you from these vain idols to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all nations to walk in their own ways, though he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” And saying these words, they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John

John 14:21-26

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever receives my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”