Daily Readings - Thu Jun 05 2025
Acts
30But on the next day, wanting to discover more diligently what the reason was that he was accused by the Jews, he released him, and he ordered the priests to convene, with the entire council. And, producing Paul, he stationed him among them
6Now Paul, knowing that one group were Sadducees and the other were Pharisees, exclaimed in the council: "Noble brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is over the hope and resurrection of the dead that I am being judged.7And when he had said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. And the multitude was divided8For the Sadducees claim that there is no resurrection, and neither angels, nor spirits. But the Pharisees confess both of these9Then there occurred a great clamor. And some of the Pharisees, rising up, were fighting, saying: "We find nothing evil in this man. What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?10And since a great dissension had been made, the tribune, fearing that Paul might be torn apart by them, ordered the soldiers to descend and to seize him from their midst, and to bring him into the fortress11Then, on the following night, the Lord stood near him and said: "Be constant. For just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so also it is necessary for you to testify at Rome.
John
20But I am not praying for them only, but also for those who through their word shall believe in me21So may they all be one. Just as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you, so also may they be one in us: so that the world may believe that you have sent me22And the glory that you have given to me, I have given to them, so that they may be one, just as we also are one23I am in them, and you are in me. So may they be perfected as one. And may the world know that you have sent me and that you have loved them, just as you have also loved me24Father, I will that where I am, those whom you have given to me may also be with me, so that they may see my glory which you have given to me. For you loved me before the founding of the world25Father most just, the world has not known you. But I have known you. And these have known that you sent me26And I have made known your name to them, and I will make it known, so that the love in which you have loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of unity, faith, and God's plan. The first reading from Acts presents Paul standing before the Sanhedrin, where he cleverly exploits the theological divide between the Pharisees and Sadducees, leading to his rescue by Roman soldiers. This scene underscores the complexities of human conflict and the ways in which even in turmoil, God's providence can prevail. The second reading, from John's Gospel, offers a stark contrast as Jesus prays for the unity of his disciples, expressing his deep desire for oneness among those who follow him.
The context of these readings reveals the tension between division and unity. In Acts, Paul's trial highlights the fractured state of the Jewish leadership, with the Sadducees and Pharisees holding opposing beliefs about the resurrection and the afterlife. This division creates chaos, but it also allows Paul to be saved from potential harm. In John's Gospel, Jesus' prayer for unity takes place on the eve of his Passion, emphasizing the importance of harmony among believers as they face the challenges of the world. While the first reading shows the reality of division, the second reading offers a vision of the unity that God desires for his people.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we navigate the tensions between division and unity in our own lives. Like Paul, we may find ourselves in situations where differences of opinion or belief lead to conflict. Yet, even in such moments, God's plan can unfold in unexpected ways. Like Jesus, we are called to pray for unity, not just for ourselves, but for all those who will come to believe in him through us. This unity is not about uniformity of thought or the absence of challenges, but about being one in heart and mind, grounded in our shared faith in God.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us strive to be instruments of unity in a world often marked by division. Let us pray for the grace to see beyond our differences and to work toward harmony in our relationships and communities. May we trust in God's providence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain, and may we always remember that our ultimate unity comes from God, who loves us and desires that we be one in him.