Daily Readings - Tue Apr 23 2024
Acts
19And some of them, having been dispersed by the persecution that had occurred under Stephen, traveled around, even to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the Word to no one, except to Jews only20But some of these men from Cyprus and Cyrene, when they had entered into Antioch, were speaking also to the Greeks, announcing the Lord Jesus21And the hand of the Lord was with them. And a great number believed and were converted to the Lord22Now the news came to the ears of the Church at Jerusalem about these things, and they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch23And when he had arrived there and had seen the grace of God, he was gladdened. And he exhorted them all to continue in the Lord with a resolute heart24For he was a good man, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord25Then Barnabas set out for Tarsus, so that he might seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch26And they were conversing there in the Church for an entire year. And they taught such a great multitude, that it was at Antioch that the disciples were first known by the name of Christian
John
22Now it was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem, and it was winter23And Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon24And so the Jews surrounded him and said to him: "How long will you hold our souls in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.25Jesus answered them: "I speak to you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in the name of my Father, these offer testimony about me26But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep27My sheep hear my voice. And I know them, and they follow me28And I give them eternal life, and they shall not perish, for eternity. And no one shall seize them from my hand29What my Father gave to me is greater than all, and no one is able to seize from the hand of my Father30I and the Father are one.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the power of faith and the unity that comes from following Christ. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community expanding beyond Jerusalem, as believers scattered by persecution carry the Gospel to new lands. Barnabas, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, is sent to Antioch to support this growing community. There, he finds joy in the grace of God at work and encourages the people to remain steadfast in their faith. This passage highlights the importance of perseverance and the role of compassionate leadership in nurturing the faith of others. It also shows how the Church, even in its early days, was called to be inclusive, reaching out to people of different backgrounds.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks during the Feast of the Dedication, a time when Jews celebrated the rededication of the Temple. Surrounded by questions and doubts, Jesus reaffirms his identity as the Messiah and explains the intimate relationship he shares with his Father. He describes his followers as his sheep, who hear his voice and trust in his care. This passage invites us to reflect on our own relationship with Christ. Do we truly listen to his voice? Do we trust in his promise of eternal life? Jesus’ words remind us that our faith is not just about intellectual assent but about a deep, personal connection with him, one that gives us the strength to persevere through life’s challenges.
Today’s readings call us to live as true disciples of Christ, trusting in his guidance and remaining faithful even when faced with uncertainty. Just as the early Church in Antioch grew because of the courage of believers and the leadership of Barnabas, we too can contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom by sharing the Gospel with others and living with integrity. Let us strive to be like Christ’s sheep, attentive to his voice and confident in the love and protection he offers. May we, like Barnabas, be sources of encouragement and hope for those around us, and may our lives bear witness to the transformative power of God’s grace.