Daily Readings - Wed Apr 27 2022
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
The first reading from Acts tells the story of the Apostles being imprisoned by the Sadducees, only to be miraculously freed by an angel of the Lord. Despite the authorities' attempts to silence them, the Apostles are found teaching in the temple the next morning. This passage highlights the early Christian community's courage and obedience to God's will, even in the face of persecution. The Gospel reading from John is one of the most famous passages in Scripture, John 3:16, which speaks of God's immense love for the world and the gift of eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ. It also contrasts light and darkness, emphasizing that those who reject the light do so because their deeds are evil, while those who act in truth are drawn to the light.
The readings are connected by the theme of obedience to God's will and the struggle between light and darkness. In Acts, the Apostles obey God's command to preach, even when it means defying human authority. In John's Gospel, Jesus speaks of the ultimate act of obedience—God sending His Son to save the world. Both readings remind us that following God often requires standing against the forces of darkness, whether they take the form of religious persecution or the pull of sin in our own lives.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect on where we stand in the struggle between light and darkness. Are we courageous in sharing the Gospel, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular? Do we act in truth, allowing God's light to shine through our actions? The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived out in obedience to God, even when it challenges us. Like the Apostles, we are called to stand firm in our commitment to Christ, trusting that God's grace will see us through any trial. Let us embrace the light of Christ and allow it to guide us in all we do.