Daily Readings - Fri May 22 2020
Acts
9Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: "Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent10For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.11Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them12But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal13saying, "He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.14Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: "If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper15Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.16And he ordered them from the tribunal17But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things18Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow
John
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 joy21A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world22Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you23And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us through the dynamics of faith and perseverance. The first reading from Acts 18:9-18 recounts Paul's missionary journey, where he faces opposition yet remains steadfast in his mission. A vision from the Lord emboldens him to continue preaching, despite the challenges. This passage highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of adversity. The second reading, John 16:20-23a, offers a message of hope from Jesus. He assures his disciples that their sorrow will turn to joy, much like a woman who forgets her pain after giving birth. Jesus promises that their joy will be complete and that they will find everything they need in the Father.
These readings converge on the theme of hope amidst adversity. Paul's experience in Acts illustrates the challenges of living out one's faith, while Jesus' words in John provide the reassurance needed to endure such trials. Both narratives remind us that our faith journey is not without its struggles, but it is in these moments that we discover the depth of God's presence and provision.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when the path seems uncertain. Just as Paul trusted the vision and continued his mission, we too can face our challenges with courage. Jesus' promise of joy turning sorrow upside down encourages us to hold onto hope, knowing that our struggles are temporary. Let us reflect on our own trials and remember that God is ever-present, transforming our sorrows into joy. The moral lesson here is one of unwavering trust and hope in God, reminding us that through faith, we can overcome any obstacle and find true joy in His presence.