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| "Interview between Jesus and Nicodemus" -- by James Tissot |
Monday
of the Second Week of Easter
FIRST
READING:
Acts 4:23-31
23
And being let go, they came to their own company, and related all
that the chief priests and ancients had said to them.
24
Who having heard it, with one accord lifted up their voice to God,
and said: Lord, thou art he that didst make heaven and earth, the
sea, and all things that are in them.
25
Who, by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David, thy
servant, hast said: Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people
meditate vain things?
26
The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes assembled together
against the Lord and his Christ.
27
For of a truth there assembled together in this city against thy holy
child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with
the Gentiles and the people of Israel,
28
To do what thy hand and thy counsel decreed to be done.
29
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto thy
servants, that with all confidence they may speak thy word,
30
By stretching forth thy hand to cures, and signs, and wonders to be
done by the name of thy holy Son Jesus.
31
And when they had prayed, the place was moved wherein they were
assembled; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they
spoke the word of God with confidence.
PSALM:
Psalms 2:1-9
1
Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?
2
The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together,
against the Lord and against his Christ.
3
Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke
from us.
4
He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall
deride them.
5
Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his
rage.
6
But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, preaching
his commandment.
7
The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten
thee.
8
Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and
the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9
Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in
pieces like a potter's vessel.
GOSPEL:
John 3:1-8
1
And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the
Jews.
2
This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that
thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which
thou dost, unless God be with him.
3
Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a
man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4
Nicodemus saith to him: How can a man be born when he is old? can he
enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born again?
5
Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again
of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6
That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of
the Spirit, is spirit.
7
Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be born again.
8
The Spirit breatheth where he will; and thou hearest his voice, but
thou knowest not whence he cometh, and whither he goeth: so is every
one that is born of the Spirit.
