Daily Readings - Wed May 16 2018
Acts
28Take care of yourselves and of the entire flock, over which the Holy Spirit has stationed you as Bishops to rule the Church of God, which he has purchased by his own blood29I know that after my departure ravenous wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock30And from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things in order to entice disciples after them31Because of this, be vigilant, retaining in memory that throughout three years I did not cease, night and day, with tears, to admonish each and every one of you32And now, I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace. He has the power to build up, and to give an inheritance to all who are sanctified33I have coveted neither silver and gold, nor apparel,34as you yourselves know. For that which was needed by me and by those who are with me, these hands have provided35I have revealed all things to you, because by laboring in this way, it is necessary to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ 36And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with all of them37Then a great weeping occurred among them all. And, falling upon the neck of Paul, they kissed him38being grieved most of all over the word which he had said, that they would never see his face again. And they brought him to the ship
John
11And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one12While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled13And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world15I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil16They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world17Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth18Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world19And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth
Sermon
The first reading from Acts and the Gospel from John both speak to the themes of protection, guidance, and the mission of believers in the world. In Acts, Paul bids farewell to the elders of Ephesus, urging them to care for the flock entrusted to them and to remain vigilant against false teachers. He reminds them that the Church is God’s own possession, purchased at a great price, and that their role is to serve and support one another. Paul’s words are both a warning and an encouragement, emphasizing the importance of living out the faith with integrity and generosity. In the Gospel, Jesus prays for his disciples, asking the Father to protect and sanctify them. He acknowledges that while they are in the world, they are not of the world, and he commissions them to continue his mission. Jesus’ prayer is a profound expression of his love and concern for those who follow him, ensuring that they are equipped to live as his witnesses in a world that often opposes them.
Both readings highlight the tension between being in the world and being set apart for God’s purposes. Paul’s farewell speech and Jesus’ prayer remind us that believers are called to live with a sense of responsibility and purpose. We are not here to pursue our own interests or to blend in with the world, but to serve others and to bear witness to God’s truth. This requires us to be vigilant, to trust in God’s providence, and to remain faithful even in the face of challenges. The readings also emphasize the importance of community and mutual support. Just as Paul exhorts the elders to care for one another, and just as Jesus prays for the unity and sanctification of his disciples, we too are called to live in harmony and to uphold one another in our shared mission.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I fulfilling my role in the Body of Christ? Am I living as a light in the world, or am I allowing the world to shape me instead? Let us strive to remain faithful to God’s word, to serve others with generosity and love, and to trust in his protection and guidance. May we, like Paul and the disciples, embrace our calling with courage and humility, knowing that we are not alone but are part of a greater community sanctified and sent into the world for the sake of God’s kingdom.