Daily Readings - Fri May 17 2019
Acts
26Noble brothers, sons of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, it is to you the Word of this salvation has been sent27For those who were living in Jerusalem, and its rulers, heeding neither him, nor the voices of the Prophets that are read on every Sabbath, fulfilled these by judging him28And although they found no case for death against him, they petitioned Pilate, so that they might put him to death29And when they had fulfilled everything that had been written about him, taking him down from the tree, they placed him in a tomb30Yet truly, God raised him up from the dead on the third day31And he was seen for many days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who even now are his witnesses to the people32And we are announcing to you that the Promise, which was made to our fathers33has been fulfilled by God for our children by raising up Jesus, just as it has been written in the second Psalm also: ‘You are my Son. This day I have begotten you.
John
1"Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also2In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. If there were not, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will return again, and then I will take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be4And you know where I am going. And you know the way.5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?6Jesus said to him: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear Paul addressing the people of Antioch, explaining that Jesus, though rejected by the rulers in Jerusalem, fulfilled the scriptures through his death and resurrection. This message emphasizes that the promise of salvation is not just for the Jews but for everyone. In the Gospel, Jesus reassures his disciples, troubled by his impending departure, by promising to prepare a place for them in heaven. He declares himself as the way, the truth, and the life, the sole path to the Father.
The context of these readings is significant. Paul's sermon in Acts is part of his missionary journeys, targeting both Jews and Gentiles, highlighting the universal nature of the Gospel. In John, the setting is the Farewell Discourse, where Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure, reassuring them of their eternal destiny and his divine role. Together, these passages underscore Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan, both historically and personally.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are reminded to trust in God's providence, especially during uncertain times. Jesus guides us through life's challenges, calling us to be His witnesses. By living with faith and love, we reflect His presence in the world. The moral lesson is clear: place your trust in God, have faith in Jesus as your path to eternal life, and live as a beacon of His love and truth.