Daily Readings - Sat Jun 04 2022
Acts
16And when we had arrived at Rome, Paul was given permission to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him17And after the third day, he called together the leaders of the Jews. And when they had convened, he said to them: "Noble brothers, I have done nothing against the people, nor against the customs of the fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans18And after they held a hearing about me, they would have released me, because there was no case for death against me19But with the Jews speaking against me, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, though it was not as if I had any kind of accusation against my own nation20And so, because of this, I requested to see you and to speak to you. For it is because of the hope of Israel that I am encircled with this chain.30Then he remained for two whole years in his own rented lodgings. And he received all who went in to him31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which are from the Lord Jesus Christ, with all faithfulness, without prohibition
John
20Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, the one who also had leaned on his chest at supper and said, "Lord, who is it who shall betray you?21Therefore, when Peter had seen him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, but what about this one?22Jesus said to him: "If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.23Therefore, the saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, "If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?24This is the same disciple who offers testimony about these things, and who has written these things. And we know that his testimony is true25Now there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if each of these were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not be able to contain the books that would be written
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons of faith and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Acts describes Paul’s time under house arrest in Rome, where despite his confinement, he continued to preach the Gospel with unwavering dedication. The second reading from John’s Gospel shows Peter’s curiosity about the fate of another disciple, to which Jesus responds by reminding Peter to focus on his own calling rather than comparing himself to others. Both passages invite us to reflect on perseverance, trust, and living out our unique mission in life.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian community’s struggles and uncertainties. Paul, though imprisoned, remained a tireless witness to the truth, using even his captivity as an opportunity to share the Good News. Similarly, in John’s Gospel, the disciples were grappling with their roles in the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ response to Peter emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s plan and not being distracted by the journey of others. These scenes remind us that our faith is not about comparing ourselves to others but about faithfully following God’s will for our own lives.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to embrace perseverance and trust. Like Paul, we may face challenges or limitations, but we are always called to remain faithful and to use every situation as an opportunity to share God’s love. Like Peter, we may be tempted to look at others and wonder about their path, but Jesus reminds us to focus on our own journey. Let us ask ourselves: Am I staying true to my calling? Am I trusting in God’s plan, even when the road ahead is uncertain? May we, like Paul and the disciples, find the strength to follow Jesus without hesitation, knowing that our unique mission is part of a larger story that only God can see.