Daily Readings - Thu May 21 2020
Acts
1After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth2And upon finding a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with Priscilla his wife, (because Claudius had ordered all Jews to depart from Rome,) he met with them3And because he was of the same trade, he lodged with them and was working. (Now they were tentmakers by trade.4And he was arguing in the synagogue on every Sabbath, introducing the name of the Lord Jesus. And he was persuading Jews and Greeks5And when Silas and Timothy had arrived from Macedonia, Paul stood firm in the Word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ6But since they were contradicting him and blaspheming, he shook out his garments and said to them: "Your blood is on your own heads. I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.7And moving from that place, he entered into the house of a certain man, named Titus the Just, a worshiper of God, whose house was adjoined to the synagogue8Now Crispus, a leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, with his entire house. And many of the Corinthians, upon hearing, believed and were baptized
John
16A little while, and then you will not see me. And again a little while, and you will see me. For I am going to the Father.17Then some of his disciples said to one another: "What is this, that he is saying to us: ‘A little while, and you will not see me,’ and ‘Again a little while, and you will see me,’ and, ‘For I am going to the Father?’ 18And they said: "What is this, that he is saying, ‘A little while?’ We do not understand what he is saying.19But Jesus realized that they wanted to question him, and so he said to them: "Are you inquiring among yourselves about this, that I said: ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?20Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of transition and trust in God's plan. The first reading from Acts 18:1-8 describes Paul's missionary journey in Corinth. Despite facing rejection from the Jewish community, Paul remains steadfast in his faith, continuing his ministry and converting many Gentiles. His perseverance in the face of adversity is a testament to his unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel. The second reading from John 16:16-20 captures a moment of confusion and sorrow among Jesus' disciples as He speaks about His impending departure. Jesus reassures them that their sorrow will be transformed into joy, a promise that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced loss or uncertainty.
Both readings highlight the theme of transition and the promise of joy after sorrow. Paul's experience in Corinth reminds us that even in the face of rejection, God's work continues to flourish. Jesus' words to His disciples invite us to trust in His plan, even when the future seems unclear. These passages encourage us to embrace faith and perseverance, knowing that our struggles are not in vain.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our own lives. When we face challenges or uncertainties, we are called to trust in God's timing and plan. Just as Paul found strength in his mission and the disciples would eventually understand Jesus' words, we too can find joy in the midst of adversity. Let us embrace the promise that our sorrow will be turned into joy, and let us continue to walk in faith, trusting that God is always with us.