Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 15, 2022
First Reading: Acts 14.21b-27
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
Psalm 145
1The Praise of David himself. I will extol you, O God, my king. And I will bless your name, in this time and forever and ever2Throughout every single day, I will bless you. And I will praise your name, in this time and forever and ever3The Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy. And there is no end to his greatness4Generation after generation will praise your works, and they will declare your power5They will tell of the magnificent glory of your sanctity. And they will discourse of your wonders6And they will talk about the virtue of your terrible acts. And they will describe your greatness7They will shout about the memory of your abundant sweetness. And they will exult in your justice8The Lord is compassionate and merciful, patient and full of mercy9The Lord is sweet to all things, and his compassion is upon all his works10O Lord, may all your works confess to you, and let your holy ones bless you11They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and they will declare your power12so as to make known to the sons of men your power and the glory of your magnificent kingdom13Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion is with all, from generation to generation. The Lord is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works14The Lord lifts up all who have fallen down, and he sets upright all who have been thrown down15O Lord, all eyes hope in you, and you provide their food in due time16You open your hand, and you fill every kind of animal with a blessing17The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his works18The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth19He will do the will of those who fear him, and he will heed their supplication and accomplish their salvation20The Lord watches over all who love him. And he will destroy all sinners21My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name, in this time and forever and ever
Second Reading: Revelation 21.1-5a
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.
Gospel: John 13.1, 31-33a, 34-35
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.