Thursday in Easter — Open Word

FIRST READING

Genesis 12:1-3

Verse 1. Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. Verse 2. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Verse 3. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you. ”

PSALM

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; save me by Your righteousness.

Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.

For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name.

You free me from the net laid out for me, for You are my refuge.

Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.

My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion.

SECOND READING

Acts 6:8-15

Verse 8. Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Verse 9. But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen, Verse 10. but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. Verse 11. Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” Verse 12. So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, Verse 13. where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. Verse 14. For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” Verse 15. All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.