Daily Readings - Thu Apr 11 2024
Acts
27And when they had brought them, they stood them before the council. And the high priest questioned them28and said: "We strongly order you not to teach in this name. For behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and you wish to bring the blood of this man upon us.29But Peter and the Apostles responded by saying: "It is necessary to obey God, more so than men30The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging him on a tree31It is he whom God has exalted at his right hand as Ruler and Savior, so as to offer repentance and the remission of sins to Israel32And we are witnesses of these things, with the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to all who are obedient to him.33When they had heard these things, they were deeply wounded, and they were planning to put them to death
John
31He who comes from above, is above everything. He who is from below, is of the earth, and he speaks about the earth. He who comes from heaven is above everything32And what he has seen and heard, about this he testifies. And no one accepts his testimony33Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified that God is truthful34For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God. For God does not give the Spirit by measure35The Father loves the Son, and he has given everything into his hand36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. But whoever is unbelieving toward the Son shall not see life; instead the wrath of God remains upon him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of testimony and obedience to God. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and the apostles stand before the council, refusing to stop teaching about Jesus despite the high priest's orders. Peter's bold response underscores their commitment to obeying God over men, highlighting Jesus' resurrection and their role as witnesses. This passage is set in the early church, where the apostles faced persecution for spreading Jesus' teachings.
The Gospel from John emphasizes Jesus' divine origin, as He testifies to heavenly truths. Jesus' words in John 3:31-36 contrast the earthly and divine realms, stressing that belief in Him leads to eternal life. This passage is part of a larger discourse where Jesus explains His mission, focusing on His role as a divine witness.
Both readings connect through the theme of testimony and obedience. The apostles in Acts follow Jesus' example from John, who testified to divine truths. In our daily lives, this calls us to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with challenges. We are to courageously share the Gospel, trusting in God's plan. The moral lesson is clear: obedience to God is paramount, and our faith should lead us to testify about Jesus, even in difficult situations.