FIRST
READING: Acts
10:
25 - 26, 34 - 35, 44 - 48
25
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and
worshiped him.
26
But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man."
34
And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God
shows no partiality,
35
but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is
acceptable to him.
44
While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who
heard the word.
45
And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were
amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even
on the Gentiles.
46
For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter
declared,
47
"Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have
received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then they asked him to remain for some days.
PSALM:
Psalms 98: 1 - 4
1
O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His
right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
2
The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication
in the sight of the nations.
3
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of
Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into
joyous song and sing praises!
SECOND
READING: 1 John 4:
7 - 10
7
Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who
loves is born of God and knows God.
8 He
who does not love does not know God; for God is love.
9 In
this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his
only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
10 In
this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his
Son to be the expiation for our sins.
GOSPEL:
John 15: 9 - 17
9 As
the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.
10 If
you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have
kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
11
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and
that your joy may be full.
12
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have
loved you.
13
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.
14
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15 No
longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his
master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have
heard from my Father I have made known to you.
16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that
whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17
This I command you, to love one another.
