Daily Readings - Sat May 22 2021
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 powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, perseverance, and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Acts describes Paul’s time in Rome, where, despite being under house arrest, he continues to preach the Gospel with unwavering dedication. Paul’s situation is a testament to his unshakable commitment to spreading the message of Christ, even in the face of adversity. The second reading from John’s Gospel offers a poignant moment between Jesus and Peter. Peter, curious about the fate of another disciple, is reminded by Jesus to focus on his own calling rather than comparing himself to others. This exchange underscores the importance of trusting in God’s plan for each individual.
These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on perseverance and trust. Paul’s determination to preach the kingdom of God, even in captivity, mirrors the disciples’ ongoing mission after Jesus’ resurrection. Both narratives remind us that our faith is not about understanding every detail of God’s plan but about remaining faithful to our unique calling. Peter’s curiosity about the other disciple serves as a reminder to avoid distractions and instead focus on our own journey of discipleship. Just as Paul used his circumstances to share the Gospel, we too are called to witness to Christ in whatever situation we find ourselves.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are invited to embrace a spirit of trust and perseverance. Like Paul, we may face challenges or uncertainties, but these should not hinder our commitment to living out our faith. Like Peter, we may be tempted to compare ourselves to others, but Jesus calls us to focus on our own path. Let us take inspiration from these readings to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God is at work in every moment of our lives. May we, like Paul, use every opportunity to share the love of Christ, and may we, like Peter, follow Jesus with courage and humility.