Apr. 26: Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Modern Mosaic, Vision Telling Paul to Come Over to Macedonia, Veroia (ancient Berea), Greece

Readings for Mass
First Reading: Acts 16:1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5
Gospel: John 15:18-21

During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us (NRSV, Act 14:9).”

Let us pray.

Father, in every situation in which we as human beings find ourselves, if we are sensitive to your one Word spoken to us, we realize that you are calling us forth, out of the limitations of the present moment, to grow in your life. Abraham sensed himself called to leave his home in Mesopotamia in search of you. The Israelites were called out of slavery in Egypt. Paul was called forth continually to preach your gospel to all peoples.

Father, sensitive to the inevitable inadequacy of our present situation, may we be always ready to respond to your call to move forward from where we are, to let go of our past, indeed our sins and our selfishness, to grow in your life and to give ourselves ever more fully to the service of our sisters and brothers.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.