April 19, 2016

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles   11: 19-26

11:19 And some of them, having been dispersed by the persecution that had occurred under Stephen, traveled around, even to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the Word to no one, except to Jews only.
11:20 But some of these men from Cyprus and Cyrene, when they had entered into Antioch, were speaking also to the Greeks, announcing the Lord Jesus.
11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them. And a great number believed and were converted to the Lord.
11:22 Now the news came to the ears of the Church at Jerusalem about these things, and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch.
11:23 And when he had arrived there and had seen the grace of God, he was gladdened. And he exhorted them all to continue in the Lord with a resolute heart.
11:24 For he was a good man, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord.
11:25 Then Barnabas set out for Tarsus, so that he might seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.
11:26 And they were conversing there in the Church for an entire year. And they taught such a great multitude, that it was at Antioch that the disciples were first known by the name of Christian.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to John   10: 22-30

10:22 Now it was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem, and it was winter.
10:23 And Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
10:24 And so the Jews surrounded him and said to him: “How long will you hold our souls in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
10:25 Jesus answered them: “I speak to you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in the name of my Father, these offer testimony about me.
10:26 But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep.
10:27 My sheep hear my voice. And I know them, and they follow me.
10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall not perish, for eternity. And no one shall seize them from my hand.
10:29 What my Father gave to me is greater than all, and no one is able to seize from the hand of my Father.
10:30 I and the Father are one.”