Daily Readings - Tue May 09 2023

¹⁹Now certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived there. And having persuaded the crowd, they stoned Paul and dragged him outside of the city, thinking him to be dead²⁰But as the disciples were standing around him, he got up and entered the city. And the next day, he set out with Barnabas for Derbe²¹And when they had evangelized that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch²²strengthening the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them that they should remain always in the faith, and that it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations²³And when they had established priests for them in each church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed²⁴And traveling by way of Pisidia, they arrived in Pamphylia²⁵And having spoken the word of the Lord in Perga, they went down into Attalia²⁶And from there, they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had now accomplished²⁷And when they had arrived and had gathered together the church, they related what great things God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles²⁸And they remained for no small amount of time with the disciples

John

Chapter 14

²⁷Peace I leave for you; my Peace I give to you. Not in the way that the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and let it not fear²⁸You have heard that I said to you: I am going away, and I am returning to you. If you loved me, certainly you would be gladdened, because I am going to the Father. For the Father is greater than I²⁹And now I have told you this, before it happens, so that, when it will happen, you may believe³⁰I will not now speak at length with you. For the prince of this world is coming, but he does not have anything in me³¹Yet this is so that the world may know that I love the Father, and that I am acting according to the commandment that the Father has given to me. Rise up, let us go from here.

Sermon

The first reading from Acts 14:19-28 describes Paul's missionary journey, where he faces intense persecution, including being stoned and left for dead. Despite this, he miraculously survives and continues his work, establishing churches and strengthening the faith of the disciples. This passage highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of severe trials. The context is set during Paul's first missionary journey, where he and Barnabas face opposition from Jewish communities but also experience the joy of converting Gentiles to the faith. The reading emphasizes the importance of perseverance and trust in God's providence, even when faced with suffering. The Gospel reading from John 14:27-31a shifts the focus to Jesus' Farewell Discourse, where He offers words of comfort to His disciples. Jesus promises them His peace, which is different from the world's peace, and reassures them not to be troubled or afraid. He explains that His departure is necessary because the Father is greater than He, and He acts in obedience to the Father's command. This passage is set in the Upper Room during the Last Supper, where Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure and the challenges they will face. The reading underscores the theme of trust in God's plan and the gift of peace that comes from faith in Him. Both readings, though from different contexts, share a common theme: trust in God's plan and the strength to face challenges with faith. Paul's resilience in the face of persecution mirrors Jesus' obedience to the Father's will. The readings remind us that life is not without its trials, but through faith, we can find peace and perseverance. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace this same spirit of trust and courage. When we face difficulties, we can draw strength from God's promise of peace and remember that our ultimate hope is in Him. Let us strive to live out our faith with the same dedication and trust that Paul and Jesus exemplified, knowing that God's grace will sustain us through all tribulations.