1. Then Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases.

2. And he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

3. He instructed them, "Don't take anything for the journey, neither walking stick, nor bag, nor bread, nor silver coins; and don't even take a spare tunic.

4. Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place.

5. And wherever they don't welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet: it will be as a testimony against them."

6. So they set out and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

7. King Herod heard of all this and did not know what to think, for people said, "This is John, raised from the dead."

8. Others believed that Elijah or one of the ancient prophets had come back to life.

9. As for Herod, he said, "I had John beheaded; who is this man about whom I hear such wonders?" And he was anxious to see him.

10. On their return the apostles told Jesus everything they had done. Then he took them aside to a lonely place, and they went away to a town called Bethsaida to be by themselves.

11. But the crowd heard of this and caught up with him. So he welcomed them and began speaking about the kingdom of God, curing those who needed healing.

12. The day was drawing to a close and the Twelve drew near to tell him, "Send the crowd away and let them go into the villages and farms around, to find lodging and food, for we are here in a lonely place."

13. But Jesus replied, "You yourselves give them something to eat." They answered, "We have only five loaves and two fish; do you want us to go and buy food enough for all this crowd?"

14. For there were about five thousand men. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Make people sit down in groups of fifties."

15. So they made all of them settle down.

16. Jesus then took the five loaves and two fish, and raising his eyes to heaven, pronounced a blessing over them; he broke them and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the crowd.

17. They ate and everyone had enough; and when they gathered up what was left, twelve baskets were filled with broken pieces.

18. One day when Jesus was praying alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them, "What do people say about me?"

19. And they answered, "Some say that you are John the Baptist; others say that you are Elijah, and still others that you are one of the former prophets risen from the dead." Again Jesus asked them,

20. "Who then do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."

21. Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.

22. And he added, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life."

23. Jesus also said to all the people, "If you wish be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me.

24. For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it, and if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.

25. What does it profit you to gain the whole world while you destroy or damage yourself?

26. If someone feels ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Glory and in the Glory of his Father with his holy angels.

27. Truly, I say to you, there are some here who will not experience death before they see the kingdom of God."

28. About eight days after Jesus had said all this, he took Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray.

29. And while he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became dazzling white.

30. Two men were talking with Jesus: Moses and Elijah.

31. They had just appeared in heavenly glory and were telling him about his departure that had to take place in Jerusalem.

32. Peter and his companions had fallen asleep, but they awoke suddenly and saw Jesus' Glory and the two men standing with him.

33. As Moses and Elijah were about to leave, Peter said to him, "Master, how good it is for us to be here for we can make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." For Peter didn't know what to say.

34. And no sooner had he spoken than a cloud appeared and covered them; and the disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud.

35. Then these words came from the cloud, "This is my Son, my Chosen one, listen to him."

36. And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was there alone. The disciples kept this to themselves at the time, telling no one of anything they had seen.

37. The next day, when they came down from the mountain, quite a group met Jesus.

38. A man among them called out, "Master, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. When the evil spirit seizes him, he suddenly screams.

39. The spirit throws him into a fit and he foams at the mouth; it scarcely ever leaves him after wearing him out.

40. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not."

41. Jesus answered, "You faithless people! How wrong you are! How long must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here."

42. And while the boy was being brought, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a fit. But Jesus spoke sharply to the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.

43. And all who saw it were astonished at God's wonderful work. While all were amazed at everything Jesus did, he said to his disciples,

44. "Listen and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands."

45. But the disciples didn't understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

46. One day the disciples were arguing about which of them was the most important.

47. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he took a little child and stood him by his side.

48. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. And listen: the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest."

49. Then John spoke up, "Master, we saw someone who drove out demons by calling upon your name, and we tried to forbid him because he doesn't follow you with us."

50. But Jesus said, "Don't forbid him. He who is not against you is for you."

51. As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem.

52. He had sent ahead of him some messengers who entered a Samaritan village to prepare a lodging for him.

53. But the people would not receive him because he was on his way to Jerusalem.

54. Seeing this, James and John, his disciples said, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?"

55. Jesus turned and rebuked them,

56. and they went on to another village.

57. As they went on their way, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."

58. Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

59. To another Jesus said, "Follow me." But he answered, "Let me go back now, for first I want to bury my father."

60. And Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their dead; as for you, leave them and proclaim the kingdom of God."

61. Another said to him, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family."

62. And Jesus said to him, "Whoever has put his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God."





“Submeter-se não significa ser escravo, mas ser livre para receber santos conselhos.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina