Daily Readings - Tue May 13 2025
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 first reading from Acts describes the early Christian community’s expansion beyond Jerusalem, as believers, scattered by persecution, carried the Gospel to new regions, including Antioch. There, Barnabas, a man of faith and grace, was sent by the Jerusalem Church to support this growing community. He later sought out Saul, who would become Paul, the great missionary. This passage highlights the Church’s rapid growth and the unity of believers across diverse backgrounds. The Gospel from John presents Jesus at the Feast of the Dedication, where he is questioned by the Jews about his identity. Jesus responds by affirming his unity with the Father and explaining that his sheep hear his voice and follow him, receiving eternal life. This passage emphasizes Jesus’ divine authority and the intimate relationship he shares with those who belong to him.
These readings are deeply connected. In Acts, we see the early Church living out the mission of spreading the Gospel, which Jesus had entrusted to his followers. The unity and faith of the early Christians reflect the unity Jesus speaks of in John’s Gospel between himself and the Father. Just as Jesus’ sheep hear his voice and follow him, the early Church listened to the Holy Spirit and trusted in God’s plan, even as they faced challenges. Both readings remind us that being part of God’s family requires faith, trust, and a willingness to follow his will, even when the path is uncertain.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own faith journey. Are we listening to Jesus’ voice and following him with a resolute heart, as Barnabas and the early Christians did? Do we trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem difficult or unclear? Like the early Church, we are called to share the Gospel with others, not just in words but through our actions and the way we live. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living as a Christian, not just in name but in deed? Am I united with Christ and with my brothers and sisters in faith? May we, like Barnabas, be filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, and may we, like Jesus’ sheep, hear his voice and follow him faithfully.