Daily Readings - Wed Apr 30 2025
Acts
17Then the high priest and all those who were with him, that is, the heretical sect of the Sadducees, rose up and were filled with jealousy18And they laid hands on the Apostles, and they placed them in the common prison19But in the night, an Angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out, saying20"Go and stand in the temple, speaking to the people all these words of life.21And when they had heard this, they entered the temple at first light, and they were teaching. Then the high priest, and those who were with him, approached, and they called together the council and all the elders of the sons of Israel. And they sent to the prison to have them brought22But when the attendants had arrived, and, upon opening the prison, had not found them, they returned and reported to them23saying: "We found the prison certainly locked up with all diligence, and the guards standing before the door. But upon opening it, we found no one within.24Then, when the magistrate of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were uncertain about them, as to what should happen25But someone arrived and reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you placed in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.26Then the magistrate, with the attendants, went and brought them without force. For they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned
John
16For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life17For God did not send his Son into the world, in order to judge the world, but in order that the world may be saved through him18Whoever believes in him is not judged. But whoever does not believe is already judged, because he does not believe in the name of the only-begotten Son of God19And this is the judgment: that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness more than light. For their works were evil20For everyone who does evil hates the Light and does not go toward the Light, so that his works may not be corrected21But whoever acts in truth goes toward the Light, so that his works may be manifested, because they have been accomplished in God.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, obedience, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. The first reading from Acts recounts the Apostles’ miraculous escape from prison, where an angel of the Lord frees them to continue their mission of preaching the Gospel. Despite the authorities’ attempts to silence them, the Apostles remain steadfast in their obedience to God, even in the face of persecution. The Gospel from John, on the other hand, presents us with one of the most profound expressions of God’s love: the gift of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us that God’s desire is not to condemn the world but to save it, yet it also warns that those who reject the light of truth will dwell in darkness.
The readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on the tension between human resistance to God’s will and the unstoppable power of divine love. In Acts, the Sadducees and temple authorities represent the forces of opposition to the Gospel, yet they are no match for the divine plan. Similarly, in John’s Gospel, the world is divided between those who embrace the light of Christ and those who prefer the darkness of sin. Both readings call us to consider where we stand in this spiritual divide. Are we among those who cling to the light, even when it challenges us, or do we find comfort in the shadows of our own making?
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded that faith is not a passive belief but an active commitment to living in the light of Christ. Just as the Apostles continued to preach despite imprisonment, we too must remain faithful in the face of trials and setbacks. The moral lesson here is clear: God’s love is always available to us, but we must choose to accept it and live according to His truth. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, even when the world around us seems hostile? Do we trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead is uncertain? May we, like the Apostles, be courageous in our witness and may we, like the Father, love without condition, that we might walk ever more closely in the light of His Son, Jesus Christ.