Daily Readings - Sat Apr 27 2024
Acts
44Yet truly, on the following Sabbath, nearly the entire city came together to hear the Word of God45Then the Jews, seeing the crowds, were filled with envy, and they, blaspheming, contradicted the things that were being said by Paul46Then Paul and Barnabas said firmly: "It was necessary to speak the Word of God first to you. But because you reject it, and so judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles47For so has the Lord instructed us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ 48Then the Gentiles, upon hearing this, were gladdened, and they were glorifying the Word of the Lord. And as many as believed were preordained to eternal life49Now the word of the Lord was disseminated throughout the entire region50But the Jews incited some devout and honest women, and the leaders of the city. And they stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas. And they drove them away from their parts51But they, shaking the dust from their feet against them, went on to Iconium52The disciples were likewise filled with gladness and with the Holy Spirit
John
7If you had known me, certainly you would also have known my Father. And from now on, you shall know him, and you have seen him.8Philip said to him, "Lord, reveal the Father to us, and it is enough for us.9Jesus said to him: "Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me? Philip, whoever sees me, also sees the Father. How can you say, ‘Reveal the Father to us?10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I am speaking to you, I do not speak from myself. But the Father abiding in me, he does these works11Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me12Or else, believe because of these same works. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me shall also do the works that I do. And greater things than these shall he do, for I go to the Father13And whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son14If you shall ask anything of me in my name, that I will do
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the universal nature of God’s love and the call to share that love with the world. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul and Barnabas facing rejection from the Jews, who envy the crowds gathering to hear the Word of God. Despite this, Paul and Barnabas remain steadfast in their mission, turning to the Gentiles and proclaiming that salvation is meant for all people. This moment marks a pivotal shift in the early Church, as the Gospel begins to spread beyond the Jewish community. The Gentiles, in turn, receive the message with joy, showing that God’s plan is not limited to one group but is intended for the ends of the earth.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to Philip about the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son. Philip asks Jesus to reveal the Father, but Jesus responds by emphasizing that seeing him is seeing the Father. This exchange underscores the unity of God’s nature and the way Jesus embodies the Father’s love. Jesus then extends this unity to his disciples, promising that those who believe in him will do even greater works. This is a call to trust in God’s presence within us and to act with faith, knowing that we are part of a larger plan to bring God’s love to the world.
These readings remind us that God’s love is not confined to specific groups or boundaries. Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to share this love with courage and perseverance, even in the face of rejection. And like Philip, we are invited to deepen our understanding of God’s nature, recognizing that Jesus reveals the Father to us. In our daily lives, this means embracing diversity, being open to those who may seem different from us, and trusting that God is at work in all things. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s universal love, bringing light and hope to a world in need.