Presider’s Page for 20 May (Pentecost Sunday)
Today is Pentecost Sunday, the second climax of the Easter season. We celebrate ‘the great beginning of the Church’, the day the Holy Spirit first came to confused and frightened disciples.
20 May, 2018. Pentecost Sunday
1st Reading: Acts (2:1-11) The Spirit of God gives energy to the apostles and sends them out on their mission When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house…
19 May, 2018. Sat. of Easter, Week 7
1st Reading: Acts (28:16-20, 30-31) Paul’s house-arrest in Rome for two years, awaiting trial When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, “Brothers, though…
18 May, 2018. Fri. of Easter, Week 7
(Saint John I, pope and martyr) 1st Reading: Acts (25:13-21) Paul, in prison at Caesarea, explains his predicament to king Agrippa After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to welcome Festus. Since they were staying there several days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man…
17 May, 2018. Thurs. of Easter, Week 7
1st Reading: Acts (22:30; 23:6-11) Paul is cross-examined by the Jewish Council, in Jerusalem Since he wanted to find out what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and the entire council to meet. He brought Paul down and had him stand before…
16 May, 2018. Wed. of Easter, Week 7
(Saint Brendan, abbot) 1st Reading: Acts (20:28-38) Paul’s final advice to the church leaders: shepherd the church of God [Paul said to the elders of the church of Ephesus:] “Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he…
15 May, 2018. Tue. of Easter, Week 7
(Saint Carthage, bishop) 1st Reading: Acts (20:17-27) Paul’s testament to the church leaders of Ephesus, on his way to Jerusalem From Miletus he sent a message to Ephesus, asking the elders of the church to meet him. When they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the…
14 May, 2018. St Matthias, Apostle (Feast)
1st Reading: Acts (1:15-17; 20-26) Matthias is selected to take the place of Judas Iscariot In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide…
Presider’s Page for 13 May (Ascension of the Lord)
The Ascension of the Lord is celebrated today. The Church also calls this Sunday ‘World Communications Day’. As he left his disciples, Jesus sent them out to spread the Good News. This is our task too. We ask for the grace we need.
13 May, 2018. The Ascension of the Lord
1st Reading: Acts (1:1-11) Ascension: Jesus promises the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen….
12 May, 2018. Sat. of Easter, Week 6
(Saints Nereus, Achilleus, Pancras, martyrs) 1st Reading: Acts (18:23-28) Aquila, a learned convert from Judaism, helps the church in southern Greece After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a…
11 May, 2018. Fri. of Easter, Week 6
Paul’s trial by Gallio the proconsul breaks down for lack of evidence One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in…
10 May, 2018. Thurs. of Easter, Week 6
(Saint Comhgall, bishop) 1st Reading: Acts (18:1-8) The early days of Paul’s mission in Corinth, and the friends he found there After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered…
09 May, 2018. Wed. of Easter, Week 6
1st Reading: Acts (17:15, 22-18:1) Paul’s clever Areopagus sermon about the one true God Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; an after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him. While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to…
08 May, 2018. Tue. of Easter, Week 6
1st Reading: Acts (16:22-34) By their courage, Paul and Barnabas win converts, while gaoled at Philippi The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the…
07 May, 2018. Mon. of Easter, Week 6
1st Reading: Acts (16:11-15) When Paul reaches Philippi, Lydia becomes his first European convert We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city…
Presider’s Page for 6 May (Easter VI)
We gather for this Easter celebration in the love of God, redeemed in the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are people with a mission, challenged to grow in love each day. We ask God for divine help with this mission, today and during the coming week.
06 May, 2018. Sixth Sunday of Easter
1st Reading: Acts (10:25-26, 33-35, 44-48) Peter baptises the household of the centurion, Cornelius On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come….
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05 May, 2018. Sat. of Easter, Week 5
Saturday Easter Week 5