Daily Readings - Tue May 18 2021
Acts
17Then, sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called those greater by birth in the church18And when they had come to him and were together, he said to them: "You know that from the first day when I entered into Asia, I have been with you, for the entire time, in this manner19serving the Lord, with all humility and despite the tears and trials which befell me from the treacheries of the Jews20how I held back nothing that was of value, how well I have preached to you, and that I have taught you publicly and throughout the houses21testifying both to Jews and to Gentiles about repentance in God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ22And now, behold, being obliged in spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there23except that the Holy Spirit, throughout every city, has cautioned me, saying that chains and tribulations await me at Jerusalem24But I dread none of these things. Neither do I consider my life to be more precious because it is my own, provided that in some way I may complete my own course and that of the ministry of the Word, which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God25And now, behold, I know that you will no longer see my face, all of you among whom I have traveled, preaching the kingdom of God26For this reason, I call you as witnesses on this very day: that I am clean from the blood of all27For I have not turned aside in the least from announcing every counsel of God to you
John
1Jesus said these things, and then, lifting up his eyes toward heaven, he said: "Father, the hour has arrived: glorify your Son, so that your Son may glorify you2just as you have given authority over all flesh to him, so that he may give eternal life to all those whom you have given to him3And this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent4I have glorified you on earth. I have completed the work that you gave me to accomplish5And now Father, glorify me within yourself, with the glory that I had with you before the world ever was6I have manifested your name to the men whom you have given to me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me. And they have kept your word7Now they realize that all the things that you have given me are from you8For I have given them the words that you gave to me. And they have accepted these words, and they have truly understood that I went forth from you, and they have believed that you sent me9I pray for them. I do not pray for the world, but for those whom you have given to me. For they are yours10And all that is mine is yours, and all that is yours is mine, and I am glorified in this11And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound moments of reflection and prayer from St. Paul and Jesus, each highlighting their unwavering commitment to their missions and the well-being of their followers. In Acts 20:17-27, St. Paul addresses the elders of Ephesus, recounting his ministry with humility and perseverance despite the trials he faced. He expresses his readiness to face future challenges in Jerusalem, emphasizing that his life’s purpose is to fulfill God’s will. This passage captures Paul’s farewell, underscoring his dedication to spreading the Gospel and his trust in God’s plan.
In John 17:1-11a, Jesus offers a heartfelt prayer to the Father, glorifying Him and acknowledging the authority given to Him. Jesus prays for His disciples, seeking their unity and protection in a world filled with challenges. This prayer, part of the Last Supper narrative, reflects Jesus’ deep concern for His followers and His desire for their unity and perseverance in faith.
Both readings emphasize the themes of commitment, unity, and trust in God. St. Paul’s courage in the face of adversity and Jesus’ prayer for His disciples remind us of the importance of staying faithful despite life’s challenges. They call us to reflect on our own commitment to our faith and our role within the community of believers.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace our mission with dedication, just as Paul and Jesus did. They remind us to trust in God’s plan, even when the future is uncertain, and to pray for one another, seeking unity and strength in our shared faith. Let us strive to live selflessly, dedicated to our faith, and support each other in our spiritual journeys, just as Paul and Jesus exemplified.