Daily Readings - Mon May 23 2022

¹¹And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis¹²and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together¹³Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled¹⁴And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying¹⁵And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there." And she convinced us

John

Chapter 15

²⁶But when the Advocate has arrived, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will offer testimony about me²⁷And you shall offer testimony, because you are with me from the beginning.

Chapter 16

¹"These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not stumble²They will put you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who puts you to death will consider that he is offering an excellent service to God³And they will do these things to you because they have not known the Father, nor me⁴But these things I have spoken to you, so that, when the hour for these things will have arrived, you may remember that I told you

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Acts 16:11-15 tells the story of Paul and his companions arriving in Philippi, where they meet Lydia, a devout woman whose heart is opened by God to receive their message. This passage highlights the early Christian church's missionary efforts and the transformative power of faith. The second reading, from John 15:26-16:4a, is part of Jesus' farewell discourse, where He speaks of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will support His followers. Jesus also warns of future persecutions, emphasizing that these challenges are a consequence of the world's misunderstanding of God's love. These readings are interconnected through the themes of faith, mission, and perseverance. In Acts, Lydia's conversion exemplifies the Holy Spirit's work in opening hearts to God's message, a theme also present in John where Jesus promises the Spirit's guidance. Both passages remind us that living as Christians involves both the joy of conversion and the courage to face adversity. They encourage us to trust in God's providence and the Holy Spirit's guidance, even in challenging times. Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace our faith with openness and resilience. Like Lydia, we should be receptive to God's word and willing to act on our faith. When faced with difficulties, we can draw strength from the Holy Spirit, remembering Jesus' promise of support. The moral lesson here is one of trust and perseverance. Just as the early Christians trusted God amidst trials, we too can navigate life's challenges with faith, knowing that the Holy Spirit is our constant companion. Let us strive to live out our faith with courage and openness, trusting in God's plan and the Spirit's guidance.