THE NAME CHRISTIANS

Tuesday week 4 of Eastertide - ' It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’

First Reading Acts11:19-26 They started preaching to the Greeks, proclaiming the Lord Jesus

Those who had escaped during the persecution that happened because of Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, but they usually proclaimed the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, who came from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch where they started preaching to the Greeks, proclaiming the Good News of the Lord Jesus to them as well. The Lord helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord.

The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord.

Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’

Responsorial Psalm: O praise the Lord, all you nations!

The Gospel John 10:22-30 The Father and I are one

It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ 

Jesus replied: ‘I have told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness; but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine. The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me. The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father. The Father and I are one.'

My Father, my God, blessed be your Holy Name. Jesus, I trust in you. Lord, a true Christian is the sheep that belong to you. The sheep who listen to your voice, and follow you, the true Shepherd. Lord may I never stray from your sheepfold for in you is eternal life. Lord Jesus, with you I am secure, and no one can steal me from you, no one can steal me from God. Jesus, I believe you are one with the Father. 

Virgin Mary, pray for me. Saint Joseph, pray for me. My Angel Guardian, pray for me. Let us pray the Rosary.

AELF : mardi, 4ème Semaine du Temps Pascal 

LE NOM « CHRÉTIENS »

C’est à Antioche que, pour la première fois, les disciples reçurent le nom de « chrétiens »

Évangile Jean 10, 22-30 . « Le Père et moi, nous sommes UN »

On célébrait la fête de la dédicace du Temple à Jérusalem. C’était l’hiver. Jésus allait et venait dans le Temple, sous la colonnade de Salomon. Les Juifs firent cercle autour de lui ; ils lui disaient : « Combien de temps vas-tu nous tenir en haleine ? Si c’est toi le Christ, dis-le nous ouvertement ! »

Jésus leur répondit : « Je vous l’ai dit, et vous ne croyez pas. Les œuvres que je fais, moi, au nom de mon Père, voilà ce qui me rend témoignage. Mais vous, vous ne croyez pas, parce que vous n’êtes pas de mes brebis. Mes brebis écoutent ma voix ; moi, je les connais, et elles me suivent. Je leur donne la vie éternelle : jamais elles ne périront, et personne ne les arrachera de ma main. Mon Père, qui me les a données, est plus grand que tout, et personne ne peut les arracher de la main du Père. Le Père et moi, nous sommes UN. »

Mon Père, mon Dieu, que ton nom soit béni. Jésus, j'ai confiance en toi. Seigneur, un vrai chrétien est comme des brebis, qui écoutent ta voix et te suivent. Toi, es le vrai Berger. Seigneur, que je ne m'éloigne jamais de ta bergerie, car en toi se trouve la vie éternelle. Seigneur Jésus, je suis en sécurité auprès de toi, personne ne m’arrachera de ta main, ni de la main de  Dieu. Jésus. Je crois que Toi et le Père  sont UN.

Vierge Marie, priez pour moi. Saint Joseph, priez pour moi. Mon ange gardien, priez pour moi. Prions le Rosaire.