Daily Readings - Sun May 10 2020
Acts
1In those days, as the number of disciples was increasing, there occurred a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were treated with disdain in the daily ministration2And so the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: "It is not fair for us to leave behind the Word of God to serve at tables also3Therefore, brothers, search among yourselves for seven men of good testimony, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work4Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.5And the plan pleased the entire multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a new arrival from Antioch6These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them7And the Word of the Lord was increasing, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied exceedingly. And even a large group of the priests were obedient to the faith
1 Peter
4And approaching him as if he were a living stone, rejected by men, certainly, but elect and honored by God5be also yourselves like living stones, built upon him, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, so as to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ6Because of this, Scripture asserts: "Behold, I am setting in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious. And whoever will have believed in him will not be confounded.7Therefore, to you who believe, he is honor. But to those who do not believe, the stone which the builders have rejected, the same has been made into the head of the corner8and a stone of offense, and a rock of scandal, to those who are offended by the Word; neither do they believe, though they also have been built upon him9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, an acquired people, so that you may announce the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light
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 me7If you had known me, certainly you would also have known my Father. And from now on, you shall know him, and you have seen him.8Philip said to him, "Lord, reveal the Father to us, and it is enough for us.9Jesus said to him: "Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me? Philip, whoever sees me, also sees the Father. How can you say, ‘Reveal the Father to us?10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I am speaking to you, I do not speak from myself. But the Father abiding in me, he does these works11Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me12Or else, believe because of these same works. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me shall also do the works that I do. And greater things than these shall he do, for I go to the Father
Sermon
The readings today guide us to reflect on the nature of faith, service, and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community addressing a practical problem—the fair distribution of resources to widows. The Apostles, recognizing their primary role as spiritual leaders, delegate the task to seven trusted disciples, ensuring that the Word of God remains central to their mission. This passage reminds us that effective service requires both prayer and action, and that leadership involves empowering others to contribute their gifts for the common good.
The second reading from 1 Peter deepens this theme by describing believers as "living stones" built on the cornerstone of Christ. We are called to be a "holy priesthood," offering spiritual sacrifices that honor God. This imagery emphasizes our shared identity as a community of faith, united in our belief in Jesus, the rejected stone who has become the foundation of our salvation. Just as the early church found unity in their mission, we too are called to live as a people set apart, shining with the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in darkness.
In the Gospel, Jesus reassures His disciples with the comforting words, "Do not let your heart be troubled." He invites us to trust in Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the only path to the Father. This passage challenges us to deepen our personal relationship with Jesus, recognizing that our faith is not just about belonging to a community but about a living, intimate connection with Him. Like Philip, we may sometimes struggle to see the Father in Jesus, but Jesus assures us that to see Him is to see the Father. As we navigate the uncertainties of life, may we find peace in Jesus’ promise and strive to reflect His love and truth in all we do.