April 21, 2017

Reading: Acts of the Apostles 4:1 – 12

4:1 But while they were speaking to the people, the priests and the magistrate of the temple and the Sadducees overwhelmed them,
4:2 being grieved that they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
4:3 And they laid hands on them, and they placed them under guard until the next day. For it was now evening.
4:4 But many of those who had heard the word believed. And the number of men became five thousand.
4:5 And it happened on the next day that their leaders and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,
4:6 including Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the priestly family.
4:7 And stationing them in the middle, they questioned them: “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”
4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Leaders of the people and elders, listen.
4:9 If we today are judged by a good deed done to an infirm man, by which he has been made whole,
4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all of the people of Israel, that in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God has raised from the dead, by him, this man stands before you, healthy.
4:11 He is the stone, which was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.
4:12 And there is no salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, by which it is necessary for us to be saved.”

Gospel according to John 21:1 – 14

21:1 And looking around, he saw the wealthy putting their donations into the offertory.
21:2 Then he also saw a certain widow, a pauper, putting in two small brass coins.
21:3 And he said: “Truly, I say to you, that this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
21:4 For all these, out of their abundance, have added to the gifts for God. But she, out of what she needed, has put in all that she had to live on.”
21:5 And when some of them were saying, about the temple, that it was adorned with excellent stones and gifts, he said,
21:6 “These things that you see, the days will arrive when there will not be left behind stone upon stone, which is not thrown down.”
21:7 Then they questioned him, saying: “Teacher, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things will happen?”
21:8 And he said: “Be cautious, lest you be seduced. For many will come in my name, saying: ‘For I am he,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ And so, do not choose to go after them.
21:9 And when you will have heard of battles and seditions, do not be terrified. These things must happen first. But the end is not so soon.”
21:10 Then he said to them: “People will rise up against people, and kingdom against kingdom.
21:11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and pestilences, and famines, and terrors from heaven; and there will be great signs.
21:12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to synagogues and into custody, dragging you before kings and governors, because of my name.
21:13 And this will be an opportunity for you to give testimony.
21:14 Therefore, set this in your hearts: that you should not consider in advance how you might respond.