THE GOSPEL
John 14:1-12Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
Jesus,
as
your disciples,
our hearts are troubled.
Is there some escape, we ask, from
war, gun violence, racism, climate change?
Be with us now, please.
To know you is to know and love
the Father and the Spirit.
And that is everything.
No fear there.
You are
our
way,
our truth,
and our life.
Wherever you abide is the place that
we always want to be––circling
in eternal, self-giving love,
with you, the Father,
and your Holy
Spirit.
THE FIRST READING
Acts 6:1-7
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom.
Lord,
choose us as
your children who
will give care to the poor,
will wash their feet as you did,
will go out to spread the word of God.
Fill us, please, with wisdom and the Holy Spirit.
THE SECOND READING
1 Peter 2:4-9
Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house.
Dear Christ, please call us
to be a chosen race,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people
of your
own.
We
want to
be with you
in the middle of the
human race and all creation,
calling your people out of
darkness into
light.
