Daily Readings - Thu Jun 06 2019
Acts
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
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.
John
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 powerful moments that invite us to reflect on faith, unity, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from Acts describes Paul’s trial before the Sanhedrin, where he cleverly exploits the theological differences between the Pharisees and Sadducees to create a division among his accusers. This strategic move not only highlights Paul’s cunning but also underscores his unwavering commitment to his faith, even in the face of danger. Later, Jesus appears to Paul, reassuring him and calling him to perseverance, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God’s presence and guidance are always with us.
The Gospel reading from John 17 presents Jesus’ heartfelt prayer for unity among his disciples and all those who would come to believe in him through their word. Jesus longs for his followers to be one, just as he and the Father are one, so that the world may recognize the divine love that binds them together. This prayer is not just a plea for harmony but a profound revelation of the Trinitarian love that flows between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It invites us to reflect on how we live out this unity in our own lives, whether in our relationships, our communities, or our witness to the world.
These readings remind us that our faith is both a source of strength in the face of challenges and a call to unity in a fragmented world. Just as Paul trusted in God’s plan despite the trials he faced, we too are called to remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. And just as Jesus prayed for unity, we are challenged to work toward oneness in our own lives—whether in our families, our parishes, or our broader communities. May we allow the love of God to flow through us, uniting us in purpose and witness, so that the world may see the glory of God shining through us.