RELIGION AND ART

The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need. There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom the apostles sur named Barnabas (which means 'son of encouragement'). He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money, and presented it to the apostles. Readings Holy Spirit, breath upon me.  Guide me.

The faithful all used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon. No one else ever dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise and numbers  of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily. So many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles that the sick were even taken out into the streets and laid on beds and sleeping-mats in the hope that at least the shadow of Peter might fall across some of them as he went past.  People even came crowding in from the towns round about Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were cured. Readings Diving Mercy Prayer for Mercy  Psalm 51 Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner. Lord Jesus Christ let your mercy be upon the whole world for the sake of your sorrowful passion.

The rulers, elders, and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer.  So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion. 'What are we going to do with these men? they asked. 'It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it.  But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us caution them never to speak to anyone in this name .’ Readings Alleluia from the Missal  Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus the elders were amazed at the words of your Apostles, help me know you more, may your spirit remain in me.

While Peter and John were talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadduces. They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus. They arrested them, but as it was already late, they held them till the next day.  But many of those who had listened to their message became believers, the total number of whom had now risen to something like five thousand. Readings Psalm 27 Lord Jesus Christ, be my light and salvation. Be my guide, help me appreciate your love. Thank you for your sacrifice be with me.

Then he told them, 'This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled'.  He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, 'So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this. Readings Seeking Heaven Alone Lord Jesus Christ, open my mind to understand the scriptures as you did explain to your Apostles. Thank you for your forgiveness, help me to appreciate the sacrifice you offered for my redemption.

Once, when Peter and John were going up to the Temple for prayers at the night hour, it happened that there was a man being carried past. He was a cripple from birth; and they used to put him down every day near the Temple entrance called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg from the people going in.  When this man saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple he begged from them. Both Peter and John looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us'. He turned to them expectantly, hoping to get something from them, but Peter said,  'I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!' Peter then took him by the hand and helped him to stand up.  Instantly his feet and ankles became firm, he jumped up, stood, and began to walk, and he went with them into the Temple, walking and jumping and praising God.  Everyone could see him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the man who used to sit beggi

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. "You who are children of Israel, hear these words. Jesus the Nazarene, was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify. But God raised him up...... Readings My God Accept my Heart this Day: Catholic Hymn Book

Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality. That message spread  throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem.  They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to  preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him received forgiveness of sins through his name," Readings My Easter Songs: May God's Praise never depart from your lips.  Jesus

See, my servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights. As the crowds  were appalled on seeing him - so disfigured did he look that he seemed no longer human - so will the crowds be astonished at him, and kings stand speechless before him; for they shall see something never told and witness something never heard before: 'who could believe what we have heard, and to whom has the power of the Lord been revealed? Like a sapling he grew up in front of us, like a root in arid ground.... Readings Man of Sorrows  from Catholic Hymn Book

THE MAN IS CHRIST, WHO FILLS THE WHOLE CREATION We should understand, beloved, that the paschal mystery is at once old and new, transitory and eternal, corruptible and incorruptible, mortal and immortal.  In terms of the Law it is old, in terms of the word it is new. In its figure it is passing, in its grace it is eternal.  It is corruptible in the sacrifice of the Lamb, incorruptible in the eternal life of the Lord.  It is mortal in his burial in the earth, immortal in his resurrection from dead........ Readings Bible Readings Songs for reflection Come to me Beloved

See, my servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights. As the crowds  were appalled on seeing him - so disfigured did he look that he seemed no longer human - so will the crowds be astonished at him, and kings stand speechless before him; for they shall see something never told and witness something never heard before: 'who could believe what we have heard, and to whom has the power of the Lord been revealed? Like a sapling he grew up in front of us, like a root in arid ground.... Readings Man of Sorrows  from Catholic Hymn Book

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father.  Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.  He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me"...... Readings From the Catholic Hymn

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the wear with a word. Morning by morning he wakens, wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord god has opened my ear, and  was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did no hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near.  Who will content with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; ...... Readings Songs for reflection:Man is lonely by Birth from Catholic Hymn book

From Mount Hor the children of Israel set out on the Red Sea road, to bypass the land of Edom. But with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!" In punishment the LORD sent among the people serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you, Pray the LORD to take the serpents away from us." So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses, "Make a serpent and mount it on a pole, and whoever looks at it after being bitten will live." Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.  Num. 21:4-9 Readings Textes liturgiques Prayer Psalm 13

But Susanna cried aloud:  "O eternal God, you know what s hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: you know that they have testified falsely against me.  Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me." Readings Psalm 23

Thus says the LORD, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, who leads out chariots and horsemen, and powerful army, till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick. Remember not the event of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, river. Wild beasts honor me, jackals and ostriches, for I put water in the desert and rivers in the wasteland for my chosen people to drink, the people whom I formed for myself, that they might announce my praise.  Isa. 43:16-21 Readings

I knew their plot because the Lord informed me; at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings. Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me: "Let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will be spoken no more." But, you, O Lord of host, O just Judge, searcher of mind and heart. Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause! Jer. 11:18-20

The Lord said to Moses, "Go down once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; cast for themselves an image a calf, and worshiped it, sacrificed to it, saying, "These are gods, O Israel, who brought you out from the land of Egypt....... Ex. 32:7-14 Readings

Thus says the Lord: 'In a time of favour I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; saying to the prisoner, "Come out", to those who are in darkness "Show yourselves." They shall feed along the ways, on the bare heights be their pasture; not hunger or thirst, neither scorching.... Readings

Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple towards the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. R Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side. Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, “Mortal, have you seen this?” Then he led me

For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered of come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress, No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. The shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.  Isa. 65:17-21 Reading s Psalm 142