Daily Readings - Fri Jun 03 2022
Acts
27Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner
13And when some days had passed, king Agrippa and Bernice descended to Caesarea, to greet Festus14And since they remained there for many days, Festus spoke to the king about Paul, saying: "A certain man was left behind as a prisoner by Felix15When I was at Jerusalem, the leaders of the priests and the elders of the Jews came to me about him, asking for condemnation against him16I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to condemn any man, before he who is being accused has been confronted by his accusers and has received the opportunity to defend himself, so as to clear himself of the charges17Therefore, when they had arrived here, without any delay, on the following day, sitting in the judgment seat, I ordered the man to be brought18But when the accusers had stood up, they did not present any accusation about him from which I would suspect evil19Instead, they brought against him certain disputes about their own superstition and about a certain Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul asserted to be alive20Therefore, being in doubt about this kind of question, I asked him if he was willing go to Jerusalem and to be judged there about these things21But since Paul was appealing to be kept for a decision before Augustus, I ordered him to be kept, until I might send him to Caesar.
John
15Then, when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs.16He said to him again: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs.17He said to him a third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was very grieved that he had asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" And so he said to him: "Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my sheep18Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you are older, you will extend your hands, and another shall gird you and lead you where you do not want to go.19Now he said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, leadership, and devotion. The first reading from Acts describes Paul’s imprisonment and the discussions surrounding his case, highlighting his unwavering commitment to his faith despite uncertainty. The Gospel from John presents a poignant moment where Jesus, after His resurrection, restores Peter’s role as a leader, charging him to care for His flock, symbolizing the trust placed in him.
These passages are set against the backdrop of significant events in the early Christian Church. Paul’s imprisonment underscores the political and religious tensions of the time, while Peter’s encounter with Jesus occurs after the resurrection, emphasizing the restoration of his leadership role. Both narratives illustrate the theme of trust in divine providence, even amidst challenging circumstances.
The readings relate through their emphasis on trust and leadership. Paul’s faith in God’s plan despite imprisonment, and Peter’s acceptance of his mission to care for others, teach us about trusting in God’s guidance and embracing our roles with love and humility. In our daily lives, we are called to lead with compassion and trust, whether in our families, communities, or workplaces, just as Peter was called to tend to Christ’s flock.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we can embody trust and leadership in our own lives. May we, like Paul, remain steadfast in our faith, and like Peter, embrace our responsibilities with love and humility, following Christ’s example.