May 6, 2016

Reading

Acts of the Apostles 18:9 – 18

18:9 Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent.
18:10 For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.”
18:11 Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.
18:12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal,
18:13 saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
18:14 Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper.
18:15 Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.”
18:16 And he ordered them from the tribunal.
18:17 But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.
18:18 Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow.

Holy Gospel According to John 16: 20 – 23

16:20 Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
16:21 A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world.
16:22 Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you.
16:23 And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you.