Daily Readings - Wed Jun 01 2022
Acts
28Take care of yourselves and of the entire flock, over which the Holy Spirit has stationed you as Bishops to rule the Church of God, which he has purchased by his own blood29I know that after my departure ravenous wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock30And from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things in order to entice disciples after them31Because of this, be vigilant, retaining in memory that throughout three years I did not cease, night and day, with tears, to admonish each and every one of you32And now, I commend you to God and to the Word of his grace. He has the power to build up, and to give an inheritance to all who are sanctified33I have coveted neither silver and gold, nor apparel,34as you yourselves know. For that which was needed by me and by those who are with me, these hands have provided35I have revealed all things to you, because by laboring in this way, it is necessary to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ 36And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with all of them37Then a great weeping occurred among them all. And, falling upon the neck of Paul, they kissed him38being grieved most of all over the word which he had said, that they would never see his face again. And they brought him to the ship
John
11And though I am not in the world, these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Father most holy, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given to me, so that they may be one, even as we are one12While I was with them, I preserved them in your name. I have guarded those whom you have given to me, and not one of them is lost, except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled13And now I am coming to you. But I am speaking these things in the world, so that they may have the fullness of my joy within themselves14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I, too, am not of the world15I am not praying that you would take them out of the world, but that you would preserve them from evil16They are not of the world, just as I also am not of the world17Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth18Just as you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world19And it is for them that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified in truth
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of leadership and devotion. The first reading from Acts 20:28-38 captures Paul's heartfelt farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He entrusts them with the care of the Church, purchased by God's blood, warning them of impending challenges and false teachers. Paul emphasizes his own integrity and the importance of generosity, concluding with an emotional departure. The Gospel, John 17:11b-19, presents Jesus' prayer for His disciples, seeking their protection and unity in God's name. He acknowledges the world's hatred but desires their sanctification in truth, not removal from the world.
Both readings are set in contexts of transition and concern for the community. Paul is leaving Ephesus, knowing he won't return, while Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. The common theme is the importance of unity and protection. Paul urges vigilance and selflessness, while Jesus prays for unity and sanctification, highlighting the need to remain in the world while being set apart by God's truth.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace unity and trust in God's protection. Just as Paul and Jesus entrusted their communities to God, we too can find strength in prayer and fidelity. We are reminded to live generously and remain faithful, even in challenging times. The moral lesson is clear: our unity in Christ and adherence to His truth are our greatest protections, enabling us to thrive in a world that often opposes our values. Let us strive to embody this unity and trust, living as sanctified beings in a world that needs God's light.