Daily Readings - Fri May 27 2022
Acts
9Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: "Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent10For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.11Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them12But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal13saying, "He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.14Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: "If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper15Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.16And he ordered them from the tribunal17But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things18Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow
John
20Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall mourn and weep, but the world will rejoice. And you shall be greatly saddened, yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy21A woman, when she is giving birth, has sorrow, because her hour has arrived. But when she has given birth to the child, then she no longer remembers the difficulties, because of the joy: for a man has been born into the world22Therefore, you also, indeed, have sorrow now. But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. And no one will take away your joy from you23And, in that day, you will not petition me for anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in my name, he will give it to you
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about trust, perseverance, and the promise of joy amidst suffering. The first reading from Acts 18 describes Paul’s missionary journey in Corinth, where he faced intense opposition from the Jews. Despite the challenges, the Lord assured Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid. I am with you.” This divine encouragement gave Paul the courage to stay in Corinth for over a year, spreading the Word of God. Even when the Jews brought him before the proconsul Gallio, Paul remained steadfast, and Gallio ultimately dismissed the case, recognizing it as a religious matter beyond his jurisdiction. This passage reminds us that our faith is not immune to trials, but God’s presence and providence sustain us through them.
The Gospel reading from John 16 offers a complementary message of hope and transformation. Jesus tells His disciples that while they will experience sorrow and weeping, their grief will ultimately turn into joy. He uses the analogy of a woman in childbirth, who endures pain but forgets it once she holds her newborn. Similarly, the disciples would face the sorrow of Jesus’ departure, but their hearts would rejoice when they saw Him again. Jesus promises that in that day, their joy would be complete, and they would ask for anything in His name with confidence. This passage invites us to trust in the transformative power of God’s love, even when we walk through darkness.
These readings remind us that our Christian journey is not one of constant ease but of faith and perseverance. Like Paul, we may face opposition and uncertainty, but God’s presence is always with us. Like the disciples, we may experience sorrow, but it is not without hope. The key is to trust in God’s plan and to remember that our struggles are temporary, while His promises are eternal. Let us embrace the challenges of our daily lives with courage, knowing that God is with us, and that He will turn our sorrows into joy.