Daily Readings - Mon May 19 2025

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

The first reading from Acts and the Gospel of John both invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, love, and our relationship with God. In the first reading, Paul and Barnabas encounter a lame man in Lystra who is healed through Paul's faith and proclamation. The crowd, in awe of this miracle, mistakenly identifies Paul and Barnabas as gods. However, the apostles quickly correct them, insisting that they are merely human beings sent to preach the truth of the living God. This passage reminds us that true faith is not about seeking glory for ourselves but about pointing others to the one true God who creates and sustains all things. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of love and obedience. He says that those who love Him will keep His commandments, and in return, the Father will love them, and Jesus will manifest Himself to them. This intimate relationship with God is not reserved for the select few but is open to all who are willing to live according to His word. Jesus also speaks of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will guide us in understanding and living out God’s will. This passage invites us to reflect on the depth of God’s love for us and the transformative power of living in accordance with His teachings. Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about personal belief but about how we live out that belief in our daily lives. Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to be witnesses of God’s love and truth, even in the face of misunderstanding or rejection. Like the disciples, we are called to love God by keeping His commandments and remaining open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let us ask ourselves: Are we allowing God to manifest Himself in our lives? Are we living in a way that reflects His love and truth to the world around us? May we, like the lame man in Lystra, have the faith to stand up and walk in the ways of the Lord.