THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 FIRST READING "Me, I believe that we should not bother those who, coming from the nations, turn to God" A Reading from the book of Acts of the Apostles (15, 7-21)

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 

FIRST READING 

"Me, I believe that we should not bother those who, coming from the nations, turn to God" 

A Reading from the book of Acts of the Apostles (15, 7-21) 

In those days, as the conversion of the pagans provoked an intense discussion in the Church of Jerusalem, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brethren, you know very well how God, in the early days, manifested his choice among you: it is by my mouth that the Gentiles have heard the word of the Gospel and come to faith. God, who knows hearts, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as to us; without making any distinction between them and us, he purified their hearts by faith. Now, why then do you put God to the test by placing a yoke on the back of the disciples' necks which our fathers and we did not have the strength to bear? Yes, we believe it, it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just like they were. "

All the multitude were silent, then they listened to Barnabas and Paul tell all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the nations. When they had finished, Jacques spoke up and said: “Brothers, listen to me. Simon Peter has explained to you how, from the beginning, God intervened to take among the nations a people who would be in his name. The words of the prophets agree with this, since it is written: After this I will come again to rebuild the dwelling of David, which fell apart; I will rebuild the collapsed parts, I will straighten it; then the rest of men will seek the Lord, yea, all the nations upon which my name was called, - declares the Lord, who has made these things known forever. Therefore, I believe that we should not bother those who, coming from the nations, turn to God, but let us write to them to refrain from the defilements of idols, illegitimate unions, unblooded meat and blood. For, from the earliest times, Moses has had people in every city proclaiming his Law, since it is read in the synagogues every Sabbath. " 

The Word of the Lord.