Daily Readings - Sat May 30 2020
Acts
16And when we had arrived at Rome, Paul was given permission to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him17And after the third day, he called together the leaders of the Jews. And when they had convened, he said to them: "Noble brothers, I have done nothing against the people, nor against the customs of the fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans18And after they held a hearing about me, they would have released me, because there was no case for death against me19But with the Jews speaking against me, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, though it was not as if I had any kind of accusation against my own nation20And so, because of this, I requested to see you and to speak to you. For it is because of the hope of Israel that I am encircled with this chain.30Then he remained for two whole years in his own rented lodgings. And he received all who went in to him31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which are from the Lord Jesus Christ, with all faithfulness, without prohibition
John
20Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, the one who also had leaned on his chest at supper and said, "Lord, who is it who shall betray you?21Therefore, when Peter had seen him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, but what about this one?22Jesus said to him: "If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.23Therefore, the saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, "If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?24This is the same disciple who offers testimony about these things, and who has written these things. And we know that his testimony is true25Now there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if each of these were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not be able to contain the books that would be written
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, perseverance, and the mysterious ways of God’s plan. The first reading from Acts describes Paul’s house arrest in Rome, where, despite his confinement, he continues to preach the Gospel with unwavering dedication. The second reading from John’s Gospel presents a poignant exchange between Jesus and Peter, where Jesus hints at the unique role of the Beloved Disciple, sparking speculation about his destiny.
These passages, though distinct in context, share a common thread—the call to trust in God’s providence. Paul, imprisoned yet undeterred, exemplifies how faith can flourish even in adversity. His determination to spread the Good News underscores the resilience of the human spirit when rooted in divine purpose. Similarly, in John’s Gospel, Jesus’ enigmatic words to Peter remind us that each of us has a unique role in God’s plan, and our focus should be on following Him rather than comparing ourselves to others.
As we apply these lessons to our daily lives, we are reminded to embrace our own calling with faith and trust. Like Paul, we may face challenges, but these should not hinder our commitment to our faith. Like Peter, we may wonder about others’ paths, but our true task is to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God’s plan, remain faithful, and focus on your own journey. Let us strive to live with such trust and perseverance, knowing that God’s plan unfolds in ways beyond our understanding, yet always for our good.