6th Sunday of Easter

Some persons who had come from Judea to Antioch were teaching the brothers in this

way, "Unless you are circumcised according to the law of Moses, you cannot be

saved." Because of this there was trouble, and Paul and Barnabas had fierce arguments

with them. For Paul told the people to remain as they were when they became

believers. Finally those who had come from Jerusalem suggested that Paul and

Barnabas and some others go up to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the apostles

and elders. Then the apostles and elders together with the whole Church decided to

choose representatives from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.

These were Judas, known as Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the

brothers. They took with them the following letter: Greetings from the apostles and

elders, your brothers, to the believers of non-Jewish birth in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.

We have heard that some persons from among us have worried you with their

discussions and troubled your peace of mind. They were not appointed by us. But now,

it has seemed right to us in an assembly, to choose representatives and to send them to

you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the

service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We send you then Judas and Silas who themselves

will give you these instructions by word of mouth. We, with the Holy Spirit, have

decided not to put any other burden on you except what is necessary: You are to

abstain from blood from the meat of strangled animals and from prohibited marriages.

If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."

In the spirit, the angel took me up in a spiritual vision to a very high mountain and he

showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shines

with the glory of God, like a precious jewel with the colour of crystal-clear jasper. Its

wall, large and high, has twelve gates; stationed at them are twelve angels. Over the

gates are written the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. Three gates face

the east; three gates face the north; three gates face the south and three face the west.

The city wall stands on twelve foundation stones on which are written the names of the

twelve apostles of the Lamb. I saw no temple in the city for the Lord God, Master of

the universe, and the Lamb are themselves its temple. The city has no need of the

light of the sun or the moon, since God's Glory is its light and the Lamb is its lamp.

Jesus said to his disciple: "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my Father

will love him; and we will come to him and make a room in his home. But if anyone

does not love me, he will not keep my words, and these words that you hear are not

mine but the Father's who sent me. I told you all this while I was still with you. From

now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach

you all things and remind you of all that I have told you. Peace be with you; I give you

my peace. Not as the world gives peace do I give it to you. Do not be troubled; do not

be afraid. You heard me say: 'I am going away, but I am coming to you.' If you loved

me, you would be glad that I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have

told you this now before it takes place, so that when it does happen you may believe.