Easter Preface.
READING Acts 13, 44-52
Reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
When Paul arrived in Antioch in Pisidia, almost the entire city gathered the following Sabbath to hear the word of the Lord. Seeing this crowd, the Jews were filled with envy and hurled insults at Paul's words. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, saying, "It was to you that we should have first spoken the word of the Lord. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. Thus the Lord has commanded us: 'I have appointed you to be a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and praised the word of the Lord, and all who were destined for eternal life believed. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the whole region. But the Jews stirred up some devout women from the aristocracy and the leading men of the city, stirring up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and driving them out of their territory. Shaking the dust from their feet in protest against them, they went to Iconium. The disciples, for their part, were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Word of God.
Commentary: For Saint Luke, the Word of God is not only its content, but also the preaching and living teaching of the Apostles. Faced with the rejection of the Jews in the synagogue, the Apostles address their message to the pagans, who accept their word and change their lives. Religious and political authorities react, manipulating public opinion against the Gospel proclaimed by the Apostles.
PSALM Ps 97, 1-4
R. Behold the triumph of our God!
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things: his right hand and his holy arm have won victory. R.
The Lord has revealed his salvation and his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. R.
The ends of the earth have seen the triumph of our God. Let all the earth sing to the Lord, break forth into joyful singing. R.
ALLELUIA Jn 8, 31-32
Alleluia. "If you remain faithful to my word, you will truly be my disciples and will know the truth," says the Lord. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Jn 14, 7-14
Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
At the hour of passing from this world to the Father, Jesus said to his disciples: “If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and yet you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? These words I say are not mine; the Father who dwells in me does the works. Believe me: I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Believe it, at least, for the works. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it." Word of the Lord.
Commentary : Jesus is the way that leads to the Father and the means by which the Father makes himself known. His actions reveal who he is and at the same time lead us to the Father. In this way, through faith in Christ, every believer is close to God. Therefore, Jesus does not limit himself to demonstrating his equality with the Father, but also invites us to continue his work if we truly believe in him.