Daily Readings - Wed Apr 28 2021
Acts
1Now there were, in the Church at Antioch, prophets and teachers, among whom were Barnabas, and Simon, who was called the Black, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul2Now as they were ministering for the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them: "Separate Saul and Barnabas for me, for the work for which I have selected them.3Then, fasting and praying and imposing their hands upon them, they sent them away4And having been sent by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia. And from there they sailed to Cyprus5And when they had arrived at Salamis, they were preaching the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John in the ministry
John
44But Jesus cried out and said: "Whoever believes in me, does not believe in me, but in him who sent me45And whoever sees me, sees him who sent me46I have arrived as a light to the world, so that all who believe in me might not remain in darkness47And if anyone has heard my words and not kept them, I do not judge him. For I did not come so that I may judge the world, but so that I may save the world48Whoever despises me and does not accept my words has one who judges him. The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him on the last day49For I am not speaking from myself, but from the Father who sent me. He gave a commandment to me as to what I should say and how I should speak50And I know that his commandment is eternal life. Therefore, the things that I speak, just as the Father has said to me, so also do I speak.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that illuminate the essence of divine mission and our role within it. The first reading from Acts describes the early Church's vibrant growth, where the Holy Spirit commissions Barnabas and Saul for a special mission. This moment in Antioch, a hub of early Christianity, underscores the Church's missionary spirit, driven by fasting, prayer, and obedience to the Spirit. The Gospel from John presents Jesus, the Light of the World, emphasizing His mission from the Father to save humanity. Jesus' words remind us that rejecting Him means facing judgment, not from His condemnation, but from the truth of His message.
Both readings converge on the theme of being sent by God. In Acts, the Holy Spirit sends out missionaries, while in John, Jesus is sent by the Father. This duality highlights the Trinitarian nature of mission, where each person of the Trinity plays a role in reaching out to humanity. This mission is not limited to the apostles but extends to all believers, calling us to be ambassadors of God's love and truth in our own contexts.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our daily lives are part of a larger divine mission. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or families, we are called to spread God's word through our actions and words. Like Barnabas and Saul, we must be attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, willing to step out in faith. Jesus' message of salvation urges us to embrace our role as bearers of light, dispelling darkness and bringing hope. Let us heed this call, allowing God's truth and love to shine through us, transforming the world one interaction at a time.