Fourth Sunday of Easter Reading I Ac

Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats. Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God. On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.” The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region. The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

R (3c) We are his people, the sheep of his flock. or: R Alleluia. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;             serve the LORD with gladness;             come before him with joyful song. R  We are his people, the sheep of his flock. or: R  Alleluia. Know that the LORD is God;             he made us, his we are;             his people, the flock he tends. R  We are his people, the sheep of his flock. or: R  Alleluia. The LORD is good:             his kindness endures forever,             and his faithfulness, to all generations. R  We are his people, the sheep of his flock. or: R  Alleluia.

I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. Then one of the elders said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.             “For this reason they stand before God’s throne                         and worship him day and night in his temple.             The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.             They will not hunger or thirst anymore,                         nor will the sun or any heat strike them.             For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne                         will shepherd them                         and lead them to springs of life-giving water,                         and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  

R. Alleluia, alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”