Daily Readings - Wed Apr 14 2021
Acts
17Then the high priest and all those who were with him, that is, the heretical sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with jealousy18And they laid hands on the Apostles, and they placed them in the common prison19But in the night, an Angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out, saying20"Go and stand in the temple, speaking to the people all these words of life.21And when they had heard this, they entered the temple at first light, and they were teaching. Then the high priest, and those who were with him, approached, and they called together the council and all the elders of the sons of Israel. And they sent to the prison to have them brought22But when the attendants had arrived, and, upon opening the prison, had not found them, they returned and reported to them23saying: "We found the prison certainly locked up with all diligence, and the guards standing before the door. But upon opening it, we found no one within.24Then, when the magistrate of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were uncertain about them, as to what should happen25But someone arrived and reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you placed in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.26Then the magistrate, with the attendants, went and brought them without force. For they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned
John
16For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life17For God did not send his Son into the world, in order to judge the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him18Whoever believes in him is not judged. But whoever does not believe is already judged, because he does not believe in the name of the only-begotten Son of God19And this is the judgment: that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness more than light. For their works were evil20For everyone who does evil hates the Light and does not go toward the Light, so that his works may not be corrected21But whoever acts in truth goes toward the Light, so that his works may be manifested, because they have been accomplished in God.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on obedience, freedom, and the call to live as children of light. The first reading from Acts recounts the Apostles’ courage in the face of persecution. Despite being imprisoned by the Sadducees, they are miraculously freed by an angel and return to the temple to continue teaching. Their unwavering commitment to spreading the Good News, even in the face of danger, reminds us that true freedom comes from obeying God’s will, not from escaping human constraints. The Gospel from John offers a profound meditation on light and darkness. Jesus, the Light of the world, reveals God’s love and offers salvation to all. Yet, the passage also warns that those who prefer darkness to light do so because their deeds are evil. The choice between light and darkness is not just a moral one but a spiritual one, reflecting our willingness to embrace truth and live in God’s grace.
The readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on the tension between human opposition and divine providence. In Acts, the religious leaders are baffled by the Apostles’ escape, symbolizing the futility of human efforts to suppress God’s plan. In John’s Gospel, this tension is spiritual: the world resists the Light because it exposes sin, but those who embrace the Light find eternal life. Together, these passages remind us that living as disciples of Christ requires courage, fidelity, and a willingness to stand out in a world often shrouded in darkness.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where am I being called to stand firm in my faith despite challenges? How am I choosing light over darkness in my choices and actions? The moral lesson is clear: God’s love and truth set us free, but this freedom demands that we live as witnesses to the Light. May we, like the Apostles, trust in God’s providence and, like those who act in truth, walk confidently toward the Light, allowing our lives to reflect the grace and love of Christ.