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 be...

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