Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 1, 2017
First Reading: Acts 22.30; 23.6-11
30But on the next day, wanting to discover more diligently what the reason was that he was accused by the Jews, he released him, and he ordered the priests to convene, with the entire council. And, producing Paul, he stationed him among them
6Now Paul, knowing that one group were Sadducees and the other were Pharisees, exclaimed in the council: "Noble brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is over the hope and resurrection of the dead that I am being judged.7And when he had said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. And the multitude was divided8For the Sadducees claim that there is no resurrection, and neither angels, nor spirits. But the Pharisees confess both of these9Then there occurred a great clamor. And some of the Pharisees, rising up, were fighting, saying: "We find nothing evil in this man. What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?10And since a great dissension had been made, the tribune, fearing that Paul might be torn apart by them, ordered the soldiers to descend and to seize him from their midst, and to bring him into the fortress11Then, on the following night, the Lord stood near him and said: "Be constant. For just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so also it is necessary for you to testify at Rome.
Psalm 16
1The inscription of a title: of David himself. Preserve me, O Lord, because I have hoped in you2I have said to the Lord: "You are my God, so you have no need of my goodness.3As for the saints, who are in his land: he has made all my desires wonderful in them4Their infirmities have been multiplied; after this, they acted more quickly. I will not gather for their convocations of blood, nor will I remember their names with my lips5The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup. It is you who will restore my inheritance to me6The lots have fallen upon me with clarity. And, indeed, my inheritance has been very clear to me7I will bless the Lord, who has bestowed understanding upon me. Moreover, my temperament has also corrected me, even through the night8I have made provision for the Lord always in my sight. For he is at my right hand, so that I may not be disturbed9Because of this, my heart has been joyful, and my tongue has exulted. Moreover, even my body will rest in hope10For you will not abandon my soul to Hell, nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption11You have made known to me the ways of life; you will fill me with joy by your countenance. At your right hand are delights, even to the end
Gospel: John 17.20-26
20But I am not praying for them only, but also for those who through their word shall believe in me21So may they all be one. Just as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you, so also may they be one in us: so that the world may believe that you have sent me22And the glory that you have given to me, I have given to them, so that they may be one, just as we also are one23I am in them, and you are in me. So may they be perfected as one. And may the world know that you have sent me and that you have loved them, just as you have also loved me24Father, I will that where I am, those whom you have given to me may also be with me, so that they may see my glory which you have given to me. For you loved me before the founding of the world25Father most just, the world has not known you. But I have known you. And these have known that you sent me26And I have made known your name to them, and I will make it known, so that the love in which you have loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments that invite us to reflect on unity and faith. The first reading from Acts describes Paul's trial, where he cleverly exploits the theological differences between Pharisees and Sadducees, leading to a division that forces the Roman authorities to intervene. This scene highlights Paul's cunning and the tensions within the Jewish leadership, showcasing the challenges of maintaining unity amidst differing beliefs.
The Gospel reading from John presents a stark contrast, as Jesus prays for the unity of all believers. He desires that His followers be one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world may recognize God's love. This prayer emphasizes the divine gift of unity, which transcends human divisions and reflects the boundless love of God.
These readings remind us that while divisions are inevitable in our communities, our faith calls us to strive for unity. Just as Paul navigated the complexities of his time, we too must navigate our own challenges with wisdom and grace. Jesus' prayer teaches us that true unity is not about uniformity but about our shared identity in God. Let us embrace this divine gift, allowing it to transform our relationships and reflect God's love in our world.