Daily Readings - Thu Jun 01 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

Chapter 23

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.

Gospel - John 17.20-26

John

Chapter 17

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.