The Holy Spirit as a dove, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, in the apse of Saint Peter's Basilica. |
FIRST
READING: Acts
17: 15, 22 - 34 --
18:
1
15
And they that conducted Paul, brought him as far as Athens; and
receiving a commandment from him to Silas and Timothy, that they
should come to him with all speed, they departed.
22
But Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: Ye men of
Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious.
23
For passing by, and seeing your idols, I found an altar also, on
which was written: To the unknown God. What therefore you worship,
without knowing it, that I preach to you:
24
God, who made the world, and all things therein; he, being Lord of
heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25
Neither is he served with men's hands, as though he needed any thing;
seeing it is he who giveth to all life, and breath, and all things:
26
And hath made of one, all mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of
the earth, determining appointed times, and the limits of their
habitation.
27
That they should seek God, if happily they may feel after him or find
him, although he be not far from every one of us:
28
For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own poets
said: For we are also his offspring.
29
Being therefore the offspring of God, we must not suppose the
divinity to be like unto gold, or silver, or stone, the graving of
art, and device of man.
30
And God indeed having winked at the times of this ignorance, now
declareth unto men, that all should everywhere do penance.
31
Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in
equity, by the man whom he hath appointed; giving faith to all, by
raising him up from the dead.
32
And when they had heard of the resurrection of the dead, some indeed
mocked, but others said: We will hear thee again concerning this
matter.
33
So Paul went out from among them.
34
But certain men adhering to him, did believe; among whom was also
Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with
them.
1
After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth.
PSALM:
Psalms 148:
1 - 2, 11 - 14
1
Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye him in the high
places.
2
Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
11
Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the
earth:
12
Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name
of the Lord:
13
For his name alone is exalted.
14
The praise of him is above heaven and earth: and he hath exalted the
horn of his people. A hymn to all his saints: to the children of
Israel, a people approaching to him. Alleluia.
GOSPEL:
John 16:
12 - 15
12
I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now.
13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all
truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he
shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall
shew you.
14
He shall glorify me; because he shall receive of mine, and shall shew
it to you.
15
All things whatsoever the Father hath, are mine. Therefore I said,
that he shall receive of mine, and shew it to you.