We and the Holy Spirit are witnesses of these facts.
From the Acts of the Apostles Acts 5:27-33
In those days, [the commander and the servants] brought the apostles and presented them in the Sanhedrin; the high priest questioned them, saying, "Didn't we expressly forbid you to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us."
Then Peter answered together with the apostles: «We must obey God instead of men. The God of our fathers he has raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God lo ha innalzato alla sua destra come capo e salvatore, per dare a Israele conversione e perdono dei peccati.
And of these facts we and the Holy Spirit are witnesses, who God he has given to those who obey him." When they heard these things they were enraged and wanted to put them to death.
R. Listen, Lord, to the cry of the poor. Or: R. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.
I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise is always on my lips. Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.R.
The face of the Lord against evildoers, to erase its memory from the earth. The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them, frees them from all their anxieties.R.
The Lord is near to the broken hearted, he saves the broken spirits. Many are the evils of the righteous, but from all the Lord frees him.R.
Gospel acclamation
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. (Jn 20:29)
Alleluia.
Gospel
The Father love the Son and gave him in hand everything.
The Word of April 20, 2023 4
From the Gospel according to John Jn 3:31-36
Chi viene dall’alto, è al di sopra di tutti; ma chi viene dalla terra, appartiene alla terra e parla secondo la terra.
Chi viene dal cielo è al di sopra di tutti. Egli attesta ciò che ha visto e udito, eppure nessuno accetta la sua testimonianza.
Anyone who accepts the testimony confirms that God it is truthful. Indeed the one who God sent says the words of God: without measure he gives the Spirit.
The Father love the Son and gave him in hand everything. Who believes in Son has eternal life; who does not obey the Son he will not see life, but the wrath of God stays on him.
We have received the unshakeable promise of eternal life
The subsisting and true life is the Father which, by means of the son e nello Spirito Santo, riversa su tutti senza eccezione i doni celesti. Grazie alla sua misericordia, anche noi uomini abbiamo ricevuto la promessa incrollabile della vita eterna.
And we must not refuse to believe, because “a God everything is possible” (Mt 19:26). (…) Evidence of eternal life abounds. To our desire to reach it, the divine Scriptures indicate the ways to get there. First of all, the Scriptures teach that it is obtained by faith, as it is written: “Whoever believes in Son ha la vita eterna” (Gv 3,36). (…)
Elsewhere, martyrdom and confession are indicated in Christ, when it is said: "Whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (Jn 13:25). Scripture still says that eternal life is acquired by putting Christ prima delle ricchezze e dei parenti: “Chiunque avrà lasciato case, o fratelli, o sorelle, ecc. avrà in eredità la vita eterna” (Mt 19,29).
Or again that it is with the observance of the commandments: "Thou shalt not kill, do not commit adultery..." (Mt 19:18); and how much Jesus he replied to the interlocutor who said to him: "Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?" (Mt 19:16). Again, it is evident by avoiding bad deeds and by serving God, for Paul says: “Now, however, free yourself from sin and become servants of God, voi raccogliete il frutto che vi porta alla santificazione e come destino avete la vita eterna” (Rm 6,22).
The pursuit of eternal life has so many aspects that because of their large number, I have left it aside. In fact, the merciful Lord has opened not a single door, not a second one, but numerous doors to enter into eternal life, so that everyone, each as far as he depends, may take advantage of it without difficulty.
WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER
Whoever believes in him is not condemned; but whoever doesn't believe has already been condemned, because he didn't believe in the only begotten Son of God» (Gv 3,17-18).
This then means that that final judgment is already taking place, it begins now in the course of our existence. This judgment is pronounced in every instant of life, as a confirmation of our acceptance with faith of present and active salvation in Christ, oppure della nostra incredulità, con la conseguente chiusura in noi stessi.
But if we close ourselves to thelove of Jesus, it is we ourselves who condemn ourselves. Salvation is opening up to Jesus, and He saves us, and we ask for forgiveness. But for this we must open ourselves to thelove of Jesus, che è più forte di tutte le altre cose.
L 'love of Jesus is big, thelove of Jesus is merciful, thelove of Jesus forgive; but you must open up and opening up means repenting, accusing ourselves of the things that are not good and that we have done. (General audience, December 11, 2013)
