Lectionary Readings Book of Common Prayer - 1979 Sunday, April-28-2013 Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Collect

Fifth Sunday of Easter
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Preface of Easter

Old Testament Reading

Acts 13:44-52
⁴⁴ The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and reviled him. ⁴⁶ And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, `I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'" ⁴⁸ And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. ⁴⁹ And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. ⁵¹ But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and went to Ico'nium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. - OR -

Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18
¹ And the LORD said to Moses, ² "Say to all the congregation of the people of Israel, You shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy. ⁹ "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field to its very border, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. ¹⁰ And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God. ¹¹ "You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. ¹² And you shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD. ¹³ "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning. ¹⁴ You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. ¹⁵ "You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. ¹⁶ You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand forth against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD. ¹⁷ "You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him. ¹⁸ You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Psalm

Psalm 145

Exaltabo te, Deus
1I will exalt you, O God my King, *
     and bless your Name for ever and ever.
2Every day will I bless you *
     and praise your Name for ever and ever.
3Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; *
     there is no end to his greatness.
4One generation shall praise your works to another *
     and shall declare your power.
5I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty *
     and all your marvelous works.
6They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, *
     and I will tell of your greatness.
7They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; *
     they shall sing of your righteous deeds.
8The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, *
     slow to anger and of great kindness.
9The LORD is loving to everyone *
     and his compassion is over all his works.
10All your works praise you, O LORD, *
     and your faithful servants bless you.
11They make known the glory of your kingdom *
     and speak of your power;
12That the peoples may know of your power *
     and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom; *
     your dominion endures throughout all ages.
14The LORD is faithful in all his words *
     and merciful in all his deeds.
15The LORD upholds all those who fall; *
     he lifts up those who are bowed down.
16The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD, *
     and you give them their food in due season.
17You open wide your hand *
     and satisfy the needs of every living creature.
18The LORD is righteous in all his ways *
     and loving in all his works.
19The LORD is near to those who call upon him, *
     to all who call upon him faithfully.
20He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
     he hears their cry and helps them.
21The LORD preserves all those who love him, *
     but he destroys all the wicked.
22My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; *
     let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

New Testament Reading

Revelation 19:1,4-9
¹ After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, ⁴ And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who is seated on the throne, saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" ⁵ And from the throne came a voice crying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great." ⁶ Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. ⁷ Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; ⁸ it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. ⁹ And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are true words of God." - OR -

Acts 13:44-52
⁴⁴ The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and reviled him. ⁴⁶ And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, `I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'" ⁴⁸ And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. ⁴⁹ And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. ⁵¹ But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and went to Ico'nium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Gospel Reading

John 13:31-35
³¹ When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; ³² if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. ³³ Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going you cannot come.' ³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Lectionary Readings Book of Common Prayer - 1979 Sunday, April-14-2013 Third Sunday of Easter

The Collect

Third Sunday of Easter
O God, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Preface of Easter

Old Testament Reading

Acts 9:1-19
¹ But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. ⁴ And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" ⁵ And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; ⁶ but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. ¹⁰ Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani'as. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, ¹² and he has seen a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." ¹³ But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; ¹⁴ and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name." ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; ¹⁶ for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." ¹⁷ So Anani'as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized, ¹⁹ and took food and was strengthened. For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus. - OR -

Jeremiah 32:36-41
³⁶ "Now therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, `It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, by famine, and by pestilence': ³⁷ Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation; I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. ³⁸ And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. ³⁹ I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. ⁴⁰ I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them; and I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. ⁴¹ I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

Psalm

Psalm 33

Exultate, justi
1Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; *
     it is good for the just to sing praises.
2Praise the LORD with the harp; *
     play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.
3Sing for him a new song; *
     sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
4For the word of the LORD is right, *
     and all his works are sure.
5He loves righteousness and justice; *
     the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.
6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, *
     by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.
7He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *
     and stores up the depths of the sea.
8Let all the earth fear the LORD; *
     let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.
9For he spoke, and it came to pass; *
     he commanded, and it stood fast.
10The LORD brings the will of the nations to naught; *
     he thwarts the designs of the peoples.
11But the LORD'S will stands fast for ever, *
     and the designs of his heart from age to age.
12Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD! *
     happy the people he has chosen to be his own!
13The LORD looks down from heaven, *
     and beholds all the people in the world.
14From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze *
     on all who dwell on the earth.
15He fashions all the hearts of them *
     and understands all their works.
16There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army; *
     a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.
17The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *
     for all its strength it cannot save.
18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, *
     on those who wait upon his love,
19To pluck their lives from death, *
     and to feed them in time of famine.
20Our soul waits for the LORD; *
     he is our help and our shield.
21Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, *
     for in his holy Name we put our trust.
22Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, *
     as we have put our trust in you.

- OR -

Psalm 33:1-11

1Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; *
     it is good for the just to sing praises.
2Praise the LORD with the harp; *
     play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.
3Sing for him a new song; *
     sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
4For the word of the LORD is right, *
     and all his works are sure.
5He loves righteousness and justice; *
     the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.
6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, *
     by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.
7He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin *
     and stores up the depths of the sea.
8Let all the earth fear the LORD; *
     let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.
9For he spoke, and it came to pass; *
     he commanded, and it stood fast.
10The LORD brings the will of the nations to naught; *
     he thwarts the designs of the peoples.
11But the LORD'S will stands fast for ever, *
     and the designs of his heart from age to age.

New Testament Reading

Revelation 5:6-14
⁶ And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth; ⁷ and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; ⁹ and they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, ¹⁰ and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth." ¹¹ Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, ¹² saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" ¹³ And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, "To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!" ¹⁴ And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped. - OR -

Acts 9:1-19
¹ But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. ⁴ And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" ⁵ And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; ⁶ but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." ⁷ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. ⁸ Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. ¹⁰ Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani'as. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, ¹² and he has seen a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." ¹³ But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; ¹⁴ and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name." ¹⁵ But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; ¹⁶ for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." ¹⁷ So Anani'as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized, ¹⁹ and took food and was strengthened. For several days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

Gospel Reading

John 21:1-14
¹ After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'ri-as; and he revealed himself in this way. ² Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. ⁴ Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." ⁶ He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. ⁷ That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. ⁸ But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. ⁹ When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." ¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Book of Common Prayer - 1979
Sunday, April-07-2013
Second Sunday of Easter

The Collect

Second Sunday of Easter
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery hast established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Preface of Easter

Old Testament Reading

Acts 5:12,17-22,25-29
¹² Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. ¹⁷ But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sad'ducees, and filled with jealousy ¹⁸ they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. ¹⁹ But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, ²⁰ "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life." ²¹ And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and taught. Now the high priest came and those who were with him and called together the council and all the senate of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. ²² But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported, ²⁵ And some one came and told them, "The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people." ²⁶ Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, ²⁸ saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. - OR -

Job 42:1-6
¹ Then Job answered the LORD: ² "I know that thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of thine can be thwarted. ³ 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ⁴ Hear, and I will speak; 'I will question you, and you declare to me.' ⁵ I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee; ⁶ therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

Psalm

Psalm 111

Confitebor tibi
1Hallelujah!
     I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, *
     in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.
2Great are the deeds of the LORD! *
     they are studied by all who delight in them.
3His work is full of majesty and splendor, *
     and his righteousness endures for ever.
4He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; *
     the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
5He gives food to those who fear him; *
     he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6He has shown his people the power of his works *
     in giving them the lands of the nations.
7The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; *

     all his commandments are sure.
8They stand fast for ever and ever, *
     because they are done in truth and equity.
9He sent redemption to his people;
     he commanded his covenant for ever; *
     holy and awesome is his Name.
10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; *
     those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
     his praise endures for ever.

- OR -

Psalm 118:19-24

19Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
     I will enter them;
     I will offer thanks to the LORD.
20"This is the gate of the LORD; *
     he who is righteous may enter."
21I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
     and have become my salvation.
22The same stone which the builders rejected *
     has become the chief cornerstone.
23This is the LORD'S doing, *
     and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24On this day the LORD has acted; *
     we will rejoice and be glad in it.

New Testament Reading

Revelation 1:1-19
¹ The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants what must soon take place; and he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, ² who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. ³ Blessed is he who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written therein; for the time is near. ⁴ John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ⁶ and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. ⁷ Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, every one who pierced him; and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. ⁸ "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. ⁹ I John, your brother, who share with you in Jesus the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. ¹⁰ I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet ¹¹ saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Per'gamum and to Thyati'ra and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to La-odice'a." ¹² Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; ¹⁴ his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire, ¹⁵ his feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many waters; ¹⁶ in his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth issued a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. ¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, ¹⁸ and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. ¹⁹ Now write what you see, what is and what is to take place hereafter. - OR -

Acts 5:12,17-22,25-29
¹² Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. ¹⁷ But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sad'ducees, and filled with jealousy ¹⁸ they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. ¹⁹ But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, ²⁰ "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life." ²¹ And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and taught. Now the high priest came and those who were with him and called together the council and all the senate of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. ²² But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported, ²⁵ And some one came and told them, "The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people." ²⁶ Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but without violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, ²⁸ saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us." ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.

Gospel Reading

John 20:19-31
¹⁹ On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." ²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." ²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe." ²⁶ Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you." ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing." ²⁸ Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" ²⁹ Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." ³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.