The readings today share something alarming, while the Jews rejected Jesus, He spread to the gentiles and now today more people are Christian than most other religions in the world!

May 02, 2026

The readings today share something alarming, while the Jews rejected Jesus, He spread to the gentiles and now today more people are Christian than most other religions in the world!

The readings today share something alarming, while the Jews rejected Jesus, He spread to the gentiles and now today more people are Christian than most other religions in the world! We can see in the readings today how in Acts, the Pharisees and Jews rejected receiving Jesus and life eternal. Why would anyone not want to go to Heaven and have life eternal? All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God! When all the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God? It is hard to understand. Today the church celebrates Saint Athanasius, a Bishop who displayed so much faith. While many today need something tangible, other like the Christian faith rely mostly on faith. That is what Jesus wanted, He received this from His Father, God, and God wants us to all have great faith, to believe! So many converted to Christianity, the Apostles and Disciples helped, we too are all called as Christians to bring all peoples to Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life, no one can get to the Father and into Heaven without Jesus! We need Him! All people need Him in this world! It is sad to see so many resist, hate, come up with so many excuses for all and sin. They him and haw, but lack faith. Even many Jews today still do not believe that Jesus is the Jewish Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior of the world! And yes, He says He is coming back! Like Jesus said, " If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, says the Lord." Why would anyone reject Jesus? Especially when He said, "And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” He will do it! What a blessing! Will you let Jesus fill you with joy and the Holy Spirit?

Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Lectionary: 284

Reading 1

Acts 13:44-52

On the following sabbath
almost the whole city
gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

R.   (3cd)  All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R.   Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R.   All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R.   Alleluia.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R.   All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R.   Alleluia.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R.   All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
or:
R.   Alleluia.

Alleluia

John 8:31b-32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

John 14:7-14

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to Jesus,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”