Lectio Divina 2026: Acts of the Apostles — New Springtime Community

During the past three years we have covered the gospel readings for years A, B & C. Instead of reflecting on them again, or on the first and second readings of those Sundays we are going to switch to readings from the Acts of the Apostles which are included in the weekdays in the season of Easter. Starting on Mon the 2nd of Feb at 7.30pm Fr Pat intends to switch to the readings listed below.

Lectio Divina 2026

Easter Octave – Mon

Easter Octave – Tues

Easter Octave – Wed

Easter Octave – Thurs

Easter Octave – Fri

Easter Octave – Sat

2nd Week – Mon

2nd Week – Tues

2nd Week – Wed

2nd Week – Thurs

2nd Week – Fri

2nd Week – Sat

3rd Week – Mon

3rd Week – Tues

3rd Week – Wed

3rd Week – Thurs

3rd Week – Fri

3rd Week – Sat

4th Week – Mon

4th Week – Tues

4th Week – Wed

4th Week – Thurs

4th Week – Fri

4th Week – Sat

5th Week – Mon

5th Week – Tues

5th Week – Wed

5th Week – Thurs

5th Week – Fri

5th Week – Sat

6th Week – Mon

6th Week – Tues

6th Week – Wed

6th Week – Thurs

6th Week – Fri

6th Week – Sat

7th Week – Mon

7th Week – Tues

7th Week – Wed

7th Week – Thurs

7th Week – Fri

7th Week – Sat morn.

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Scripture

Weekday

Acts 2:14, 22-33

Acts 2:36-41

Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:11-26

Acts 4:1-12

Acts 4:13-21

Acts 4:23-31

Acts 4:32-37

Acts 5:17-26

Acts 5:27-33

Acts 5:34-42

Acts 6:1-7

Acts 6:8-15

Acts 7:51—8:1a

Acts 8:1b-8

Acts 8:26-40

Acts 9:1-20

Acts 9:31-42

Acts 11:1-18

Acts 11:19-26

Acts 12:24—13:5a

Acts 13:13-25

Acts 13:26-33

Acts 13:44-52

Acts 14:5-18

Acts 14:19-28

Acts 15:1-6

Acts 15:7-21

Acts 15:22-31

Acts 16:1-10

Acts 16:11-15

Acts 16:22-34

Acts 17:15, 22—18:1

Acts 18:1-8

Acts 18:9-18

Acts 18:23-28

Acts 19:1-8

Acts 20:17-27

Acts 20:28-38

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11

Acts 25:13b-21

Acts 28:16-20, 30-31

Biblical Content

Peter preaches to the crowd in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost

The conclusion of Peter's sermon and the reaction of the people

Peter and John heal a crippled beggar near the Beautiful Gate of the Temple

Then, Peter preaches to the crowd that gathers in Solomon's Portico

Peter and John are arrested; the next day they preach before the Sanhedrin

The Sanhedrin orders them to stop preaching about Jesus, but they refuse

The community of believers prays and gives praise to God

The community of believers are united and share possession in common

The apostles are arrested and put on trial before the Sanhedrin

Peter and the apostles defend themselves before the Sanhedrin

A Pharisee named Gamaliel defends the apostles during their trial

Seven Hellenists area appointed as community servants (deacons)

Stephen works great wonders and signs, but is arrested and put on trial

Stephen concludes his self-defense speech and is stoned to death

The Church in Jerusalem is persecuted; Philip goes to preach in Samaria

Philip preaches to the Ethiopian Eunuch on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza

Jesus appears to Saul (Paul) on the road to Damascus; Saul is baptized

Peter heals a paralytic named Aeneas and restores a dead girl, Tabitha, to life

Peter tells believers in Jerusalem why he baptized he gentile Cornelius

A Christian Church is established in Antioch in Syria

The Church at Antioch sends Barnabas and Saul on their first mission

Barnabas & Paul preach to Jews in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia

Paul's sermon in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch (cont.)

Barnabas and Paul extend their preaching to the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch

The apostles are persecuted at Iconium, then preach & heal a cripple in Lystra

Barnabas and Paul conclude their mission and return to Antioch in Syria

The apostles and elders meet in Jerusalem to settle some questions

The Council of Jerusalem decides that Gentiles need not be circumcised

The Council of Jerusalem composes a letter to communicate their decisions

Paul, Silas & Timothy depart from Antioch and travel through Asia Minor

They cross over to Europe (Philippi in Macedonia) and baptize Lydia

They are arrested and beaten in Philippi, but God delivers them from prison

Paul goes to Athens and preaches to the Greeks at the Areopagus

Paul, Silas & Timothy begin a Christian Church in Corinth

Paul remains in Corinth 18 months, and is tried before the proconsul Gallio

Apollos preaches about Jesus in Ephesus and Achaia

Paul preaches in Ephesus, teaching more about the Holy Spirit

Paul says farewell to the Christian elders of Ephesus who meet him at Miletus

Paul's concludes his farewell address, telling the elders of dangers to come

In Jerusalem, Paul defends himself before the Sanhedrin

In Caesarea, proconsul Festus tells King Agrippa & Queen Bernice about Paul

Paul arrives in Rome, preaches to the Jews, and remains under house arrest

Structure of the Acts of the Apostles

Acts is divided into 28 chapters. The work has two key structural principles.

The first is the geographic movement from Jerusalem, centre of God's Covenantal people, the Jews, to Rome, centre of the Gentile world. This structure reaches back to the author's preceding work, the Gospel of Luke, and is signaled by parallel scenes such as Paul's utterance in Acts 19:21, which echoes Jesus's words in Luke 9:51: Paul has Rome as his destination, as Jesus had Jerusalem.

The second key element is the roles of Peter and Paul, the first representing the Jewish Christian church, the second the mission to the Gentiles.[54]

Major divisions

Transition: reprise of the preface addressed to Theophilus and the closing events of the gospel (Acts 1–1:26)
Petrine Christianity: the Jewish church from Jerusalem to Antioch (Acts 2:1–12:25)

2:1–8:1 – beginnings in Jerusalem
8:2–40 – the church expands to Samaria and beyond
9:1–31 – conversion of Paul
9:32–12:25 – the conversion of Cornelius, and the formation of the Antioch church

Pauline Christianity: the Gentile mission from Antioch to Rome (Acts 13:1–28:31)

13:1–14:28 – the Gentile mission is promoted from Antioch
15:1–35 – the Gentile mission is confirmed in Jerusalem
15:36–28:31 – the Gentile mission, climaxing in Paul's passion story in Rome (21:17–28:31)

Acts in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar

Easter Sunday (Acts 10:34a, 37–43): Peter’s speech to Cornelius emphasizes the universality of salvation and the apostolic witness to the Resurrection. It sets the tone for the Easter season: the Risen Christ is proclaimed to all nations.
2nd Sunday of Easter (Acts 2:42–47, Year A): Describes the early Christian community’s life of prayer, fellowship, and shared goods. This idealized portrait invites reflection on the Church’s call to unity and charity.
3rd–5th Sundays of Easter (Various passages from Acts 2–9): Focus on Peter’s Pentecost preaching, the healing of the lame man, and the conversion of Saul. These readings show the transformative power of the Resurrection and the Spirit’s role in evangelization.
Ascension (Acts 1:1–11): Jesus’ ascension marks the transition from his earthly ministry to the Church’s mission. The angel’s question—“Why are you standing there looking at the sky?”—challenges believers to act, not just gaze.
Pentecost (Acts 2:1–11): The descent of the Holy Spirit is the climax of the Easter season. It inaugurates the Church’s mission and fulfills Jesus’ promise of divine empowerment.
Feasts and Solemnities: Acts is also read on feasts like the Baptism of the Lord (Acts 10:34–38) and the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:55–60), highlighting the continuity between Jesus’ ministry and the Church’s witness.

Spiritual and Pastoral Insights

Missionary Zeal: Acts reminds the faithful that the Church is missionary by nature. The apostles’ boldness, despite persecution, is a model for evangelization today.
Communal Life: The early Church’s shared life challenges modern individualism and invites a return to solidarity, especially with the poor.
The Holy Spirit: Acts is often called “the Gospel of the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit is not abstract but active—guiding, empowering, and uniting.
Witness and Martyrdom: Figures like Stephen and Paul show that Christian witness may lead to suffering, but also to profound joy and transformation.

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