Daily Readings - Thu May 28 2020
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 scenes that invite us to reflect on the nature of unity and division, and how our faith calls us to navigate these realities in our lives. The first reading from Acts describes Paul’s appearance before the Sanhedrin, where he cleverly exploits the theological divisions between the Pharisees and Sadducees to create a stir that ultimately leads to his rescue by Roman soldiers. Meanwhile, in the Gospel, Jesus prays for the unity of his disciples, expressing his deep desire that they may be one, just as he and the Father are one. These two passages, though seemingly different, share a common thread: the challenge of maintaining unity amidst diversity and division.
The context of the first reading is deeply political and religious. Paul, a Pharisee, uses his knowledge of the theological differences between the Pharisees and Sadducees to create a rift in the council, which allows him to escape further persecution. This passage reminds us that even in the face of adversity, God can use our circumstances to protect us and further His plan. The Gospel, on the other hand, takes us into the intimate prayer of Jesus, where He expresses His desire for unity among His followers. This unity is not just for the sake of harmony but is a witness to the world that Jesus was sent by the Father. The love and unity that exist between the Father and the Son are to be mirrored in the lives of His disciples.
These readings challenge us to reflect on how we live out our faith in a world marked by division. Like Paul, we may find ourselves in situations where we must navigate differing opinions and beliefs. Yet, Jesus’ prayer reminds us that our ultimate goal should be unity, not uniformity. This unity is rooted in our shared relationship with God and our commitment to love one another as God has loved us. In our daily lives, this means seeking to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others, even when we disagree. It means working towards reconciliation and harmony, rather than allowing divisions to define us. As we strive to live out this unity, we become a living witness to the love of God, just as Jesus prayed. Let us, therefore, ask for the grace to be instruments of unity in a world so often torn apart by division.