Daily Readings - Sat Jun 07 2025
Acts
16And when we had arrived at Rome, Paul was given permission to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him17And after the third day, he called together the leaders of the Jews. And when they had convened, he said to them: "Noble brothers, I have done nothing against the people, nor against the customs of the fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans18And after they held a hearing about me, they would have released me, because there was no case for death against me19But with the Jews speaking against me, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, though it was not as if I had any kind of accusation against my own nation20And so, because of this, I requested to see you and to speak to you. For it is because of the hope of Israel that I am encircled with this chain.30Then he remained for two whole years in his own rented lodgings. And he received all who went in to him31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which are from the Lord Jesus Christ, with all faithfulness, without prohibition
John
20Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, the one who also had leaned on his chest at supper and said, "Lord, who is it who shall betray you?21Therefore, when Peter had seen him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, but what about this one?22Jesus said to him: "If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.23Therefore, the saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, "If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?24This is the same disciple who offers testimony about these things, and who has written these things. And we know that his testimony is true25Now there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if each of these were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not be able to contain the books that would be written
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of perseverance, trust in God's plan, and the importance of staying focused on our own calling as followers of Christ. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul, though imprisoned in Rome, continuing to preach the Gospel with unwavering dedication. Despite the chains that bind him, he remains free in spirit, using every opportunity to share the message of salvation. This passage reminds us that our circumstances do not define our ability to serve God; even in confinement, Paul’s heart remains open to all who seek truth.
In the Gospel, we encounter a moment of tender yet profound teaching from Jesus. When Peter asks about the fate of the beloved disciple, Jesus responds with a message that transcends curiosity about others. He tells Peter, "What about him? You follow me." This exchange underscores the importance of focusing on our own relationship with Christ rather than comparing ourselves to others or worrying about their journey. Jesus’ words are a gentle reminder that each of us has a unique role to play in His plan, and our energy should be directed toward following Him faithfully.
These readings together teach us about the balance between perseverance and trust. Like Paul, we are called to remain steadfast in our mission, even when faced with obstacles. And like Peter, we are invited to let go of distractions and keep our eyes fixed on Christ. In our daily lives, this means embracing our own challenges with courage and trusting that God is at work in ways we may not fully understand. Let us strive to follow Christ with the same dedication as Paul and the same humility as Peter, knowing that our ultimate purpose is to serve Him and share His love with the world.