Daily Readings - Sun May 15 2022

²¹And when they had evangelized that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch²²strengthening the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them that they should remain always in the faith, and that it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations²³And when they had established priests for them in each church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed²⁴And traveling by way of Pisidia, they arrived in Pamphylia²⁵And having spoken the word of the Lord in Perga, they went down into Attalia²⁶And from there, they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had now accomplished²⁷And when they had arrived and had gathered together the church, they related what great things God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles

Revelation

Chapter 21

¹I saw the new heaven and the new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and the sea is no more²And I, John, saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband³And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: "Behold the tabernacle of God with men. And he will dwell with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be their God with them⁴And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. And death shall be no more. And neither mourning, nor crying out, nor grief shall be anymore. For the first things have passed away.⁵And the One who was sitting upon the throne, said, "Behold, I make all things new." And he said to me, "Write, for these words are entirely faithful and true.

John

Chapter 13

¹Before the feast day of the Passover, Jesus knew that the hour was approaching when he would pass from this world to the Father. And since he had always loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end³¹Then, when he had gone out, Jesus said: "Now the Son of man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him³²If God has been glorified in him, then God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him without delay³³Little sons, for a brief while, I am with you. You shall seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to go,’ so also I say to you now³⁴I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also must you love one another³⁵By this, all shall recognize that you are my disciples: if you will have love for one another.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of perseverance, hope, and love. The first reading from Acts reminds us that the early Christian communities, though facing many trials, were strengthened in their faith by Paul and Barnabas. They were exhorted to remain steadfast, for it is through tribulations that we enter the kingdom of God. This passage reflects the resilience of the early church and the importance of community in sustaining faith. The second reading from Revelation offers a vision of hope—a new heaven and a new earth where God dwells with his people, wiping away every tear and ending death and mourning. This passage invites us to look beyond our current struggles and trust in God’s promise of eternal life. The Gospel from John captures a pivotal moment when Jesus, on the eve of his Passion, gives his disciples a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved them. This love is not only a moral imperative but the very hallmark of discipleship. These readings are deeply interconnected. The trials described in Acts and the hope of Revelation both point to the transformative power of love that Jesus speaks of in the Gospel. The early Christians endured hardships because they were united in their faith and in their love for one another. Similarly, Revelation’s vision of the new Jerusalem is a place where God’s people live in perfect unity and love. Jesus’ commandment to love one another is not merely a suggestion but a way of life that reflects the very nature of God. By loving one another, we become witnesses to the power of God’s love in a world often marked by division and suffering. As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. Each of us faces trials, whether personal struggles, relational challenges, or broader societal issues. Yet, like the early Christians, we are called to perseverance and hope. We are also called to love—authentic, selfless love that seeks the good of others. This love is not always easy, but it is transformative. It changes us and those around us, drawing us closer to God and to one another. Let us ask ourselves: How can I embody this love in my relationships, in my workplace, in my community? How can I, like the early church, strengthen others in their faith and hope? May we find the courage to love as Christ has loved us, trusting that through tribulations, we will enter into the fullness of God’s kingdom.