First Reading (Acts 5,17-26)
Reading of the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, the high priest and all those of his party — that is, the party of the Sadducees — rose up, filled with rage, and ordered the apostles to be arrested and thrown into public prison.
However, during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, saying: “Go and speak to the people in the Temple about everything that concerns this way of living.” They obeyed, and at dawn they entered the Temple and began teaching. The high priest arrived with his supporters and summoned the Sanhedrin and the Council made up of the important people of the people of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be taken from prison. But when they arrived at the prison, the servants did not find them and returned saying: “We found the prison closed, with complete security, and the guards were posted in front of the door. But when we opened the door, we found no one inside.”
Upon hearing this news, the head of the Temple guard and the high priests did not know what to think and wondered what could have happened. Someone arrived and said to them: “The men you put in prison are in the Temple teaching the people!” Then the head of the Temple guard went out with the guards and brought the apostles, but without violence, because they were afraid that the people would attack them with stones.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 3,16-21)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. In fact, God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world could be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he did not believe in the name of the only begotten Son.
Now this is the judgment: light has come into the world, but men preferred darkness to light, because their deeds were evil. Whoever does evil hates the light and does not approach the light, lest his actions be exposed. But whoever acts according to the truth approaches the light, so that it may be evident that his actions are carried out in God.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, we gather in this sacred temple to reflect on the eternal truths contained in the Holy Scriptures. The words we hear in the first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, and in the Gospel according to John, invite us to delve into the depths of divine love and discover the truth that transforms our lives.
Imagine yourself on a daily journey, walking through the streets of a busy city. The worries of everyday life consume our thoughts: work, family, relationships, financial challenges. In the midst of this turmoil, it is easy to lose sight of the essential truth that sustains us.
Reading the Acts of the Apostles presents us with a scenario in which the apostles are confronted by religious authorities, who feel threatened by the power of Jesus’ teaching. They are arrested and placed before the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of the time. But while the apostles stand before the powerful of this world, they remain steadfast in their faith and trust in God.
This passage reminds us that even in the midst of persecution and adversity, we are not alone. God is by our side, strengthening us and enabling us to face life’s challenges. He gives us the courage to be faithful and courageous witnesses, regardless of the circumstances.
In the Gospel of John, we find one of the most well-known and beloved passages of Scripture: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3 ,16). These words are a reminder of God’s unconditional love for each of us.
God loves us with a love that goes beyond any human measure or understanding. He loves us in our weaknesses, in our sins, in our daily struggles. This love is not based on our merits or achievements; it is a free gift, offered to all who turn to Him with all their hearts.
But, my brothers and sisters, God’s love is not just an abstract theory. It manifests itself in concrete actions in our lives. Just as the apostles were called to witness their love through words and actions, we are called to do the same.
Imagine a mother who, upon seeing her injured child, immediately runs to comfort him and tend to his wounds. This is the kind of practical love God has for us. He is always present in our lives, ready to offer us comfort, healing, and forgiveness.
Likewise, we are called to share this love with others. Maybe you know someone who is going through difficult times, someone who is struggling with loneliness, pain, or despair. How about reaching out and offering a word of encouragement, a shoulder to lean on or practical help? Small gestures of love can have a lasting impact on someone’s life.
When we act with love, we reflect the light of Christ in this world. Jesus tells us: “He who practices the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be revealed, because they are done in God” (John 3:21). As we live according to the truth of the Gospel, we become beacons of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness.
My beloved, the central message of these biblical passages is clear: we are loved by God and called to love one another. This is the truth that transforms lives, that brings hope in the midst of hopelessness, and that invites us to live in a way worthy of the calling we have received.
May we remember these words as we leave this sacred place today. May we be visible signs of God’s love in our homes, in our communities and in every sphere of our lives. May we reach out to those in need, comfort the afflicted, and share the message of hope we find in the Scriptures.
I want to encourage each of you to take a moment each day to reflect on how the lessons from these Bible passages apply to your lives. Ask yourself: How can I better love those around me? How can I practice the truth and be a light to others?
Remember that the Christian life is not a solitary journey. We are united as a family of faith, and together we can support and encourage one another. Join Bible study groups, get involved in community activities, and seek guidance from your brothers and sisters in the faith.
Before concluding, I want to remind all of us of God’s immense grace and mercy. No matter how far we have strayed or how deeply we have fallen into sin, God’s love for us remains unwavering. He is always willing to forgive us, lift us up, and guide us back to the path of righteousness.
May we receive this grace with gratitude and humility, and may it inspire us to live a life of love, service, and compassion. May our words and actions be a vivid testimony of God’s love, so that all who encounter us may experience the joy and hope we find in our Lord Jesus Christ.
May the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, fill your hearts and your lives. May we always remember the words of the psalmist: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). May this trust strengthen us and encourage us to live according to God’s will.
May today’s message remain with us, feeding our souls and directing us on our path. May we be true disciples of Christ, reflecting his love and truth in everything we do.
May God bless you and your families today and always. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
