Daily Readings - Mon May 16 2022

⁵Now when an assault had been planned by the Gentiles and the Jews with their leaders, so that they might treat them with contempt and stone them⁶they, realizing this, fled together to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the entire surrounding region.⁷And they were evangelizing in that place.⁸And a certain man was sitting at Lystra, disabled in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked⁹This man heard Paul speaking. And Paul, gazing at him intently, and perceiving that he had faith, so that he might be healed¹⁰said with a loud voice, "Stand upright upon your feet!" And he leaped up and walked around¹¹But when the crowds had seen what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The gods, having taken the likenesses of men, have descended to us!¹²And they called Barnabas, ‘Jupiter,’ yet truly they called Paul, ‘Mercury,’ because he was the lead speaker¹³Also, the priest of Jupiter, who was outside the city, in front of the gate, bringing in oxen and garlands, was willing to offer sacrifice with the people¹⁴And as soon as the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, had heard this, tearing their tunics, they leapt into the crowd, crying ou¹⁵and saying: "Men, why would you do this? We also are mortals, men like yourselves, preaching to you to be converted, from these vain things, to the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them¹⁶In previous generations, he permitted all nations to walk in their own ways¹⁷But certainly, he did not leave himself without testimony, doing good from heaven, giving rains and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness."¹⁸And by saying these things, they were barely able to restrain the crowds from immolating to them

John

Chapter 14

²¹Whoever holds to my commandments and keeps them: it is he who loves me. And whoever loves me shall be loved by my Father. And I will love him, and I will manifest myself to him.²²Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him: "Lord, how does it happen that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?²³Jesus responded and said to him: "If anyone loves me, he shall keep my word. And my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and we will make our dwelling place with him²⁴Whoever does not love me, does not keep not my words. And the word that you have heard is not of me, but it is of the Father who sent me²⁵These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you²⁶But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will suggest to you everything whatsoever that I have said to you

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, humility, and the transformative power of God’s love. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul and Barnabas facing persecution and fleeing to Lystra, where they encounter a lame man who is healed through Paul’s faith. The crowd, in awe of the miracle, mistakenly worships them as gods. Yet, Paul and Barnabas quickly correct them, insisting that they are mere mortals and pointing the people to the one true God. This passage highlights the missionaries’ humility and their unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of misunderstanding and danger. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the relationship between love, obedience, and the presence of God. He explains that those who love him will keep his commandments, and in turn, the Father will love them. Jesus also promises that he and the Father will dwell with those who keep his word. This teaching emphasizes that love for God is not just a feeling but is expressed through actions—specifically, through obedience to his teachings. Jesus also hints at the role of the Holy Spirit, who will guide and remind the disciples of all that Jesus has taught them. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not about seeking glory for ourselves but about humbly pointing others to God. Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to live with humility and integrity, recognizing that any good we do is a gift from God. At the same time, Jesus’ words in the Gospel challenge us to examine how we express our love for him through our actions. Do we keep his commandments? Do we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in living out our faith? Let us strive to live in such a way that our lives reflect God’s love and truth, and may we always remember that our ultimate dwelling place is with him.