Bible Diary

Daily Reading

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

LECTIONARY
302

FIRST READING

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31

And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

PSALM

11:4, 5 and 7

Response: The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.

The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold,
his searching glance is on mankind.

The LORD searches the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
For the LORD is just, he loves just deeds;
the upright shall see his face.

GOSPEL

Jn 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Daily Reflection

The aspect of personal witness comes across strongly in the Gospel according to John: "I saw it, I heard it, I wrote it down, this is my testimony.” John’s testimony, unlike the synoptic Gospels, focuses more on the teachings and discourses of Jesus; while the miracles (referred to as signs) are limited to just seven. These seven signs all reveal the glory of God and point to Jesus as the Son of God. Yet, the Gospel ends with a confession that what has been recorded is only a fraction, as the world itself could not contain the books if all about Jesus should be written!

It was not just the eyewitnesses who were transformed; the life, teachings and deeds of Jesus continued to be proclaimed, challenging people to live their lives fully!

The first reading tells of Paul continuing to proclaim the Good News even though held under house arrest.

As Christians, we are called to continue sharing this story... do we?