DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION
MAY 24, 2025
SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER
(FEAST - DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI)
FIRST READING
ACTS 16:1-10 OR (REVELATION 21:1-5)
1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Ico'nium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. 6 And they went through the region of Phry'gia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come opposite My'sia, they attempted to go into Bithyn'ia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 so, passing by My'sia, they went down to Tro'as. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedo'nia was standing beseeching him and saying, "Come over to Macedo'nia and help us." 10 And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedo'nia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
The Word of the Lord
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
PSALMS 99(100):1-3, 5 OR (PSALMS 95:1-7)
Response: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Or
R. Alleluia.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Or
R. Alleluia.
Know that the LORD is God!
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Or
R. Alleluia.
For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Or
R. Alleluia.
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GOSPEL
You are not of the world
JOHN 15:18-21 OR (JOHN 10:22-30)
18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me.
The Gospel of the Lord
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REFLECTION
DAILY QUOTE FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS
Those who suffer with Christ reign with Christ, by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.
"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe, who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth, did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations. Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'"
(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2)
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Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.