Daily Readings - Mon May 10 2021

¹¹And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis¹²and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together¹³Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled¹⁴And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying¹⁵And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there." And she convinced us

John

Chapter 15

²⁶But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me²⁷And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.

Chapter 16

¹"These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble²They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God³And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me⁴But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you

Sermon

The first reading from Acts tells the story of Paul and Silas arriving in Philippi, where they encounter Lydia, a devout woman who listens to their message with an open heart. Through her, the Gospel takes root in Europe, and her household becomes the first Christian community in that region. This passage highlights the power of faith and the unexpected ways God can open hearts to His truth. The second reading from John’s Gospel finds Jesus preparing His disciples for the challenges they will face after His departure. He speaks of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will strengthen them and bear witness to His truth. Jesus also warns them of persecution but assures them that these trials are part of the journey of following Him. Both readings emphasize the themes of faith, openness to the Spirit, and perseverance in the face of adversity. In Acts, Lydia’s conversion shows how God can use ordinary people in extraordinary ways when they are receptive to His word. In John’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that living as His disciples will not always be easy, but the Spirit will guide and sustain us. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just a private matter but a call to live courageously and share the Good News with others, even when it comes at a cost. In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own openness to the Holy Spirit and our willingness to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Like Lydia, we are called to respond generously to God’s grace and to create spaces where others can encounter His love. And like the disciples, we are reminded that our faith will be tested, but we are not alone—God’s Spirit is always with us, guiding us and giving us the strength to persevere. Let us ask for the grace to remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ and to bear witness to His truth in all we do.