Daily Readings - Wed May 01 2019
Acts
17Then the high priest and all those who were with him, that is, the heretical sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with jealousy18And they laid hands on the Apostles, and they placed them in the common prison19But in the night, an Angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out, saying20"Go and stand in the temple, speaking to the people all these words of life.21And when they had heard this, they entered the temple at first light, and they were teaching. Then the high priest, and those who were with him, approached, and they called together the council and all the elders of the sons of Israel. And they sent to the prison to have them brought22But when the attendants had arrived, and, upon opening the prison, had not found them, they returned and reported to them23saying: "We found the prison certainly locked up with all diligence, and the guards standing before the door. But upon opening it, we found no one within.24Then, when the magistrate of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were uncertain about them, as to what should happen25But someone arrived and reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you placed in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.26Then the magistrate, with the attendants, went and brought them without force. For they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned
John
16For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life17For God did not send his Son into the world, in order to judge the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him18Whoever believes in him is not judged. But whoever does not believe is already judged, because he does not believe in the name of the only-begotten Son of God19And this is the judgment: that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness more than light. For their works were evil20For everyone who does evil hates the Light and does not go toward the Light, so that his works may not be corrected21But whoever acts in truth goes toward the Light, so that his works may be manifested, because they have been accomplished in God.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that illuminate the essence of faith and courage. The first reading from Acts recounts the Apostles' unwavering commitment to their mission despite imprisonment. Freed by an angel, they continue teaching in the temple, undeterred by the authorities' confusion and fear. This episode highlights the early Church's resilience against persecution, driven by their devotion to spreading God's word.
The Gospel from John presents the cornerstone of Christian belief: God's gift of His Son for the salvation of the world. John 3:16 reminds us that belief in Jesus offers eternal life, while rejection leads to condemnation. This passage contrasts light and darkness, emphasizing that those who do good seek the light, while evildoers shun it.
These readings intertwine the themes of perseverance and divine love. The Apostles' courage in Acts is fueled by the message of salvation in John. Their steadfastness in the face of adversity exemplifies living out one's faith fearlessly. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this courage, standing firm in our beliefs even when faced with challenges. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and embrace the light of truth, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions. Let us strive to spread God's word with the same determination as the Apostles, knowing that our faith is a beacon of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness.