Introduction

In the synagogue Paul proclaims the risen Christ. That Christ is risen is not merely an important event of the past: it is, as Paul says, "a message of salvation meant for you. We have come here to tell you the good news." It is meant for us today.

What is our task and the mission of all Christians in the world today? To proclaim the good news that Christ is risen and alive among us. To do what Christ did. To be Christ to one another and to the world. For we are God's priestly people and missionary people.

We do not stand alone in this task. For the living Christ is with us today as our way, our truth and our life.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
your Son Jesus Christ is to us
the way that leads to you and to one another,
the truth that is good news of love and hope,
the life which he sacrificed to give it.
Help us to show the way to him
and to go his way to one another,
to speak the truth that is encouraging and credible,
to give life by sharing happiness,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Acts 13:16, 26-33

So Paul arose, motioned to them for silence and began, "Fellow Israelites and also all you who fear God, listen.

Brothers, children and descendants of Abraham, and you also who fear God, it is to you that this message of salvation has been sent. It is a fact that the inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus. Yet in condemning him, they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath but not understood. Even though they found no charge against him that deserved death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And after they had carried out all that had been written concerning him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.

But God raised him from the dead, and for many days thereafter he showed himself to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They have now become his witnesses before the people. We ourselves announce to you this Good News: All that God promised our ancestors, he has fulfilled for us, their descendants, by raising Jesus, according to what is written in the second psalm: You are my Son, today I have begotten you.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 2:6-11

R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

"I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain."
I will proclaim the decree of the Lord:
The Lord said to me, "You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you."
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

"Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen disk."
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice.
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

Gospel Reading: Jn 14:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be troubled; trust in God and trust in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms. Otherwise I would not have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I shall come again and take you to me, so that where I am, you also may be. Yet you know the way where I am going."

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me."