Daily Readings - Thu May 01 2025
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful testimonies of faith and obedience to God. The first reading from Acts describes Peter and the Apostles standing before the Sanhedrin, refusing to stop preaching about Jesus despite the council’s orders. They boldly affirm that they must obey God rather than men, testifying to the resurrection of Jesus and His role as the Ruler and Savior of Israel. The second reading from John’s Gospel presents Jesus as the One who comes from heaven, above all things, speaking the words of God. He testifies to what He has seen, and while some reject His testimony, those who accept it affirm God’s truth. The passage concludes with the solemn reminder that belief in the Son brings eternal life, while unbelief results in remaining under God’s wrath.
These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on testimony and obedience. In Acts, the Apostles’ courage to speak the truth despite persecution reflects their unwavering commitment to the Gospel. Similarly, in John’s Gospel, Jesus’ testimony is a call to faith, urging us to recognize His divine authority and the eternal consequences of our response to Him. Both readings remind us that following Christ requires boldness and trust in His Word, even when it challenges the world’s expectations.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own commitment to living as witnesses of Christ. Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with opposition? Do we truly believe in the divine authority of Jesus and the eternal life He offers? Let us pray for the courage to obey God above all else and to trust in His truth, knowing that our faith has the power to transform not only our own lives but the lives of those around us. May we, like the Apostles, be bold in proclaiming the Good News, and may we, like those who accept Jesus’ testimony, find eternal life in Him.