Easter Preface.
READING Acts 13, 13-25
Reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
From Paphos, where they had embarked, Paul and his companions arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. John Mark left and returned to Jerusalem, but they continued their journey, and from Perga they went to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent a message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have anything to exhort the people, you may speak." Then Paul stood up and, signaling for silence, said, "Listen to me, Israelites and all you who fear God. The God of this people, the God of Israel, chose our fathers and made them a great people while they were still living as foreigners in Egypt. Then, by the power of his arm, he brought them out from there and took care of them for forty years in the wilderness. Afterward, in the land of Canaan, he destroyed seven nations and gave them their land as a possession, after about four hundred and fifty years. Then he gave them Judges until the prophet Samuel. But they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when God rejected Saul, he raised up David as their king, of whom he bore witness: “I have found in David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do my will forever.” From David’s descendants, as he had promised, God raised up for Israel a Savior, who is Jesus. In preparation for his coming, John the Baptist had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And at the end of his journey, John said: “I am not the one you think, but know that after me comes the One whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” Word of God.
Commentary : The author presents Saint Paul's first missionary discourse to the pagans, which is a sort of catechesis. He also addresses the "God-fearing," that is, Jews and those sympathetic to Judaism. His discourse summarizes the history of the people of Israel in three stages: the 40 years in the desert, the conflict between Saul and David, and the preaching of John the Baptist.
PSALM Salt 88, 2-3. 21-22. 25. 27
R. I will sing of your love forever, Lord!
I will sing of the Lord's love forever; I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. For you have said, "My love endures forever; my faithfulness is established in heaven." R.
"I found David, my servant, and anointed him with holy oil, so that my hand may be with him forever and my arm may make him strong." R.
My faithfulness and my love will be with him, and his power will increase because of my name. He will say to me, "You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation." R.
ALLELUIA Cf. Rev 1, 5
Alleluia. Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness, the first to rise from the dead; you loved us and cleansed us from our sins through your blood. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Jn 13, 16-20
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
Before the Passover feast, Jesus washed his disciples' feet and said to them, "I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. You will be blessed if you know these things and practice them. I am not saying this for all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled that says, 'Whoever shares my bread has turned against me.' I am telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that I am He. Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives whomever I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me." The word of the Lord.
Commentary : The author presents Saint Paul's first missionary discourse to the pagans, which is like a catechism. He also addresses the "God-fearing," that is, Jews and those sympathetic to Judaism. His discourse summarizes the history of the people of Israel in three stages: the 40 years in the desert, the conflict between Saul and David, and the preaching of John the Baptist.