Daily Readings - Fri May 16 2025
Acts
26Noble brothers, sons of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, it is to you the Word of this salvation has been sent27For those who were living in Jerusalem, and its rulers, heeding neither him, nor the voices of the Prophets that are read on every Sabbath, fulfilled these by judging him28And although they found no case for death against him, they petitioned Pilate, so that they might put him to death29And when they had fulfilled everything that had been written about him, taking him down from the tree, they placed him in a tomb30Yet truly, God raised him up from the dead on the third day31And he was seen for many days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who even now are his witnesses to the people32And we are announcing to you that the Promise, which was made to our fathers33has been fulfilled by God for our children by raising up Jesus, just as it has been written in the second Psalm also: ‘You are my Son. This day I have begotten you.
John
1"Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also2In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. If there were not, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will return again, and then I will take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be4And you know where I am going. And you know the way.5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?6Jesus said to him: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the heart of our Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life. In the first reading from Acts, St. Paul preaches to both Jews and Gentiles, explaining how Jesus fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament. He reminds his audience that the rulers of Jerusalem, along with those who rejected Jesus, fulfilled the Scriptures by condemning him to death. Yet, God’s plan was not defeated; instead, he raised Jesus from the dead, proving his power over sin and death. This resurrection is not just a historical event but a living reality that offers salvation to all people.
In the Gospel, Jesus comforts his disciples with words of hope and reassurance. He speaks of his Father’s house, where there are many dwelling places, and promises to prepare a place for them. Thomas’s confusion about the way to this place leads Jesus to declare, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” These words are both a promise and a challenge. They remind us that our ultimate home is not in this world but in the eternal life that Jesus offers. At the same time, they call us to trust in him as the only path to the Father.
These readings remind us that our faith is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of eternal life. Like the disciples, we may face uncertainty and doubt in our journey, but Jesus assures us that he is always with us, guiding us. As St. Paul shares the Good News with both Jews and Gentiles, we too are called to share this message of hope with others. Let us live each day with trust in God’s plan, knowing that our true home is in him. May we follow Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and may we always remember that no matter what challenges we face, he is our ultimate hope and salvation.