Daily Readings - Mon May 20 2019

⁵Now when an assault had been planned by the Gentiles and the Jews with their leaders, so that they might treat them with contempt and stone them⁶they, realizing this, fled together to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the entire surrounding region.⁷And they were evangelizing in that place.⁸And a certain man was sitting at Lystra, disabled in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked⁹This man heard Paul speaking. And Paul, gazing at him intently, and perceiving that he had faith, so that he might be healed¹⁰said with a loud voice, "Stand upright upon your feet!" And he leaped up and walked around¹¹But when the crowds had seen what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The gods, having taken the likenesses of men, have descended to us!¹²And they called Barnabas, ‘Jupiter,’ yet truly they called Paul, ‘Mercury,’ because he was the lead speaker¹³Also, the priest of Jupiter, who was outside the city, in front of the gate, bringing in oxen and garlands, was willing to offer sacrifice with the people¹⁴And as soon as the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, had heard this, tearing their tunics, they leapt into the crowd, crying ou¹⁵and saying: "Men, why would you do this? We also are mortals, men like yourselves, preaching to you to be converted, from these vain things, to the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them¹⁶In previous generations, he permitted all nations to walk in their own ways¹⁷But certainly, he did not leave himself without testimony, doing good from heaven, giving rains and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness."¹⁸And by saying these things, they were barely able to restrain the crowds from immolating to them

John

Chapter 14

²¹Whoever holds to my commandments and keeps them: it is he who loves me. And whoever loves me shall be loved by my Father. And I will love him, and I will manifest myself to him.²²Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him: "Lord, how does it happen that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?²³Jesus responded and said to him: "If anyone loves me, he shall keep my word. And my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and we will make our dwelling place with him²⁴Whoever does not love me, does not keep not my words. And the word that you have heard is not of me, but it is of the Father who sent me²⁵These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you²⁶But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will suggest to you everything whatsoever that I have said to you

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, humility, and the living relationship we have with God. In the first reading from Acts, Paul and Barnabas face both persecution and mistaken adoration. They flee from those who seek to harm them but continue to preach the Gospel. When they heal a lame man in Lystra, the crowd mistakenly worships them as gods. Paul and Barnabas quickly correct this misunderstanding, emphasizing that they are mere mortals and pointing the people to the one true God who creates and sustains all things. This passage reminds us that our faith is not about seeking glory for ourselves but about directing others to God. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the intimate relationship between love, obedience, and the presence of God. He explains that those who love Him will keep His commandments, and in return, the Father and the Son will dwell with them. Jesus also addresses Judas’ question about why He manifests Himself to believers but not to the world. He emphasizes that love and obedience are the keys to understanding His presence, and He promises the Holy Spirit as a guide and comforter. This passage invites us to reflect on how our love for God is expressed through our actions and our willingness to follow His will. Together, these readings challenge us to live with humility and trust in God’s providence. Like Paul and Barnabas, we may face challenges or misunderstandings, but our focus should always be on pointing others to God. Like the disciples, we are called to love God through obedience and to remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In our daily lives, let us strive to be humble servants of God, recognizing that all good comes from Him. Let us also nurture our relationship with God through prayer and fidelity to His commandments, trusting that He will always be with us, even when the world does not understand.