May 17th, 2004, Friday of the seventh week of Easter.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Cessaria on a visit to Festus.

Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul's case to the king, saying,

There was a man here left in custody by Felix.

When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews

brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.

I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person

before he has faced his accusers,

and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge. So when they came together here, I made no delay.

The next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. His accusers

stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.

Instead, they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who

had died, but who Paul claimed was alive. Since I was at a loss how to investigate this

controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges.

And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the emperor's decision,

I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm.

The response is,

The Lord has established his throne in heaven.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all my being bless His holy name.

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