Tuesday, May 03, 2011 {Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Feast)}

READINGS FOR THE DAY
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
1     Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand,
2     by which you are saved, if you hold it fast -- unless you believed in vain.
3     For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures,
4     that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures,
5     and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6     Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
7     Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
8     Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Psalms: Psalm 19:2-5
2     Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
3     There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
4     yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5     which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Gospel: John 14:6-14
6     Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.
7     If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him."
8     Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied."
9     Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, `Show us the Father'?
10     Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
11     Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.
12     "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.
13     Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son;
14     if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
   
REFLECTIONS FOR THE DAY
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth, out of which thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.

-- Genesis iii, 19