Daily Readings - Mon Apr 29 2024

⁵Now when an assault had been planned by the Gentiles and the Jews with their leaders, so that they might treat them with contempt and stone them⁶they, realizing this, fled together to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the entire surrounding region.⁷And they were evangelizing in that place.⁸And a certain man was sitting at Lystra, disabled in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked⁹This man heard Paul speaking. And Paul, gazing at him intently, and perceiving that he had faith, so that he might be healed¹⁰said with a loud voice, "Stand upright upon your feet!" And he leaped up and walked around¹¹But when the crowds had seen what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice in the Lycaonian language, saying, "The gods, having taken the likenesses of men, have descended to us!¹²And they called Barnabas, ‘Jupiter,’ yet truly they called Paul, ‘Mercury,’ because he was the lead speaker¹³Also, the priest of Jupiter, who was outside the city, in front of the gate, bringing in oxen and garlands, was willing to offer sacrifice with the people¹⁴And as soon as the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, had heard this, tearing their tunics, they leapt into the crowd, crying ou¹⁵and saying: "Men, why would you do this? We also are mortals, men like yourselves, preaching to you to be converted, from these vain things, to the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them¹⁶In previous generations, he permitted all nations to walk in their own ways¹⁷But certainly, he did not leave himself without testimony, doing good from heaven, giving rains and fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and gladness."¹⁸And by saying these things, they were barely able to restrain the crowds from immolating to them

John

Chapter 14

²¹Whoever holds to my commandments and keeps them: it is he who loves me. And whoever loves me shall be loved by my Father. And I will love him, and I will manifest myself to him.²²Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him: "Lord, how does it happen that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?²³Jesus responded and said to him: "If anyone loves me, he shall keep my word. And my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and we will make our dwelling place with him²⁴Whoever does not love me, does not keep not my words. And the word that you have heard is not of me, but it is of the Father who sent me²⁵These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you²⁶But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will suggest to you everything whatsoever that I have said to you

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that guide us in our faith journey. The first, from Acts, tells of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra, where a miraculous healing leads to a misunderstanding. The crowd, in awe, mistakes them for gods, prompting Paul and Barnabas to correct them, emphasizing their humanity and pointing to the one true God. This scene highlights the apostles' humility and their commitment to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of idolatrous confusion. In the Gospel of John, Jesus discusses the essence of love and obedience. He explains that loving Him means keeping His commandments, which in turn invites the Father's love and His own manifestation. Jesus also addresses Judas's query about why He won't reveal Himself to the world, underscoring that true revelation comes through obedience and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This passage emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and those who follow Him, a relationship sustained by love and obedience. Both readings converge on the theme of divine presence and its correct acknowledgment. While the crowd in Acts misidentifies the divine, Jesus in John reveals that true divine presence is experienced through love and obedience. These narratives remind us to seek God not in fleeting signs but in consistent, faithful living. They encourage us to avoid idolatry, whether literal or metaphorical, and to nurture a deep, personal relationship with God through prayer and obedience. In our daily lives, these readings invite us to remain grounded in faith, recognizing God's presence in all moments, both ordinary and extraordinary. True faith is not about seeking miracles but about living according to God's will. Let us focus on cultivating a relationship with God that is rooted in love and obedience, avoiding distractions and false idols, and embracing the Holy Spirit's guidance in our lives.