Daily Readings - Fri May 26 2023

Acts

Chapter 24

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

Chapter 21

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

The first reading from Acts and the Gospel of John present us with two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, leadership, and the call to follow Christ. In the first reading, we see Paul, a prisoner of faith, caught in the midst of political and religious tensions. Festus, the Roman governor, seeks to navigate the complexities of Paul’s case, unsure of how to resolve the disputes between the Jewish leaders and this man who speaks of a risen Jesus. The reading highlights the challenges of standing firm in one’s beliefs, even when faced with uncertainty and opposition. Paul’s situation reminds us that living out our faith can sometimes lead to trials, but it is in these moments that our commitment to the truth is tested and refined. In the Gospel, we encounter a deeply personal and emotional exchange between Jesus and Peter. After the Resurrection, Jesus meets Peter by the shore and asks him three times, “Do you love me?” This exchange is not merely about testing Peter’s devotion but about restoring him after his earlier betrayal. Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus commissions him to “feed my lambs” and “feed my sheep,” entrusting him with the care of His people. This dialogue is a profound reminder that our love for Christ is not abstract but must be lived out in service to others. Peter’s calling to leadership, despite his flaws, shows us that God’s grace can transform our weaknesses into strengths when we surrender to His will. Both readings call us to reflect on our own lives. Like Paul, we may face challenges and uncertainties, but we are invited to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God’s plan is at work even when we cannot see it. Like Peter, we are called to love Christ deeply and to express that love through service to others. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are all called to “feed His sheep” by sharing His love, compassion, and truth. Today, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my faith in the midst of life’s trials? How am I serving others as Christ has served me? May we, like Paul and Peter, trust in God’s grace and follow Him faithfully, even when the path is uncertain.