Reading
The Acts of the Apostles 5: 17-26
5:17 | Then the high priest and all those who were with him, that is, the heretical sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with jealousy. |
5:18 | And they laid hands on the Apostles, and they placed them in the common prison. |
5:19 | But in the night, an Angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out, saying, |
5:20 | “Go and stand in the temple, speaking to the people all these words of life.” |
5:21 | And when they had heard this, they entered the temple at first light, and they were teaching. Then the high priest, and those who were with him, approached, and they called together the council and all the elders of the sons of Israel. And they sent to the prison to have them brought. |
5:22 | But when the attendants had arrived, and, upon opening the prison, had not found them, they returned and reported to them, |
5:23 | saying: “We found the prison certainly locked up with all diligence, and the guards standing before the door. But upon opening it, we found no one within.” |
5:24 | Then, when the magistrate of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were uncertain about them, as to what should happen. |
5:25 | But someone arrived and reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you placed in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” |
5:26 | Then the magistrate, with the attendants, went and brought them without force. For they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned. |
Gospel
The Holy Gospel According to John 3: 16-21
3:16 | For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. |
3:17 | For God did not send his Son into the world, in order to judge the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him. |
3:18 | Whoever believes in him is not judged. But whoever does not believe is already judged, because he does not believe in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. |
3:19 | And this is the judgment: that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness more than light. For their works were evil. |
3:20 | For everyone who does evil hates the Light and does not go toward the Light, so that his works may not be corrected. |
3:21 | But whoever acts in truth goes toward the Light, so that his works may be manifested, because they have been accomplished in God.” |