God granted the Apostles a miraculous escape from prison. He ensures that the Gospel continues to be proclaimed and the Apostles are protected from martyrdom. God knows they are essential witnesses to the life and ministry, and the success of the work of the Gospel. They pass on to others what the witnessed and the number of faithful increases. Others will step up and take over the ministry work for them, like Paul, Mark, Timothy, the deacons, and others.

Acts 5:17-26

17 The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, 18 laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, 20 “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” 21 When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the jail to have them brought in. 22 But the court of officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 When the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard this report, they were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to. 25 Then someone came in and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain and the court of officers went and brought them in, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

P S A L M

Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

1 [2] I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 2 [3] Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R) 3 [4] Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. 4 [5] I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (R) 5 [6] Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 6 [7] When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 7 [8] The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 [9] Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. (R)

GOSPEL

God’s will is that all of us be saved. He sent Jesus not to condemn us but to bring us the gift of salvation. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the Father’s merciful love. Let us accept Jesus’ Word and trust in the eternal goodness of God’s intentions.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

John 3:16-21

16 God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only- begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. 21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

think: Is there a part of your life that is still lingering in the dark? Bring it to Jesus and let His light shine through.

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Read the Bible in one year 1 Samuel 5-8

T O D A Y ‘ S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________