Daily Readings - Tue May 24 2022

²²And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs²³And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently²⁴And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks²⁵Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them²⁶Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released²⁷Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled²⁸But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: "Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!²⁹Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas³⁰And bringing them outside, he said, "Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?³¹So they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.³²And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house³³And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household³⁴And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God

John

Chapter 16

⁵But I did not tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. And now I am going to him who sent me. And no one among you has asked me, ‘Where are you going?⁶But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart⁷But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I am going. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But when I will have gone away, I will send him to you⁸And when he has arrived, he will argue against the world, about sin and about justice and about judgment⁹about sin, indeed, because they have not believed in me¹⁰about justice, truly, because I am going to the Father, and you will not see me any longer¹¹about judgment, then, because the prince of this world has already been judged

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter powerful stories of faith, transformation, and the presence of God in the midst of suffering. The first reading from Acts tells the story of Paul and Silas, who, despite being beaten and imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, prayed and sang hymns to God. Their faith and joy were so evident that even the other prisoners listened. When an earthquake struck, the prison doors opened, and the jailer, fearing the prisoners had escaped, prepared to take his own life. Yet Paul, filled with compassion, assured him that no one had fled. This moment of grace led the jailer to ask, “What must I do to be saved?” and he, along with his household, was baptized. The reading shows how suffering can become an opportunity for witness and how the power of God can transform even the darkest situations. The Gospel from John complements this narrative by focusing on the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells His disciples that His departure is necessary for the Advocate to come. The Holy Spirit, Jesus explains, will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This passage reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not just a comforter but also a guide who reveals truth and transforms hearts. Just as the jailer in Acts encountered the power of God through Paul and Silas, we too can experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. These readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to challenges and how we share the Good News with others. Like Paul and Silas, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, even in the face of adversity. Their example teaches us that suffering can be a moment of grace, not just for ourselves, but also for those around us. The Gospel reminds us that the Holy Spirit is always at work, opening hearts and minds to the truth of God’s love. Let us ask for the courage to witness to our faith, even in difficult circumstances, and for the grace to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives.