Daily Readings - Mon May 15 2017
Acts
5When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,6they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country,7and there they continued to preach the gospel.8Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.9He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,10said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and began walking.11And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.13And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,15"Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.16In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.17Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."18Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
John
21Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?"23Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.25"These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful lessons about faith, humility, and the nature of God’s love. The first reading from Acts 14 describes Paul and Barnabas’s missionary journey, where they face persecution, heal a lame man, and then must correct the crowd’s misunderstanding of their divine role. The Gospel from John 14 emphasizes Jesus’ teaching on love, obedience, and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the essence of faith and our relationship with God.
The context of Acts 14 is set during Paul’s first missionary journey, where he and Barnabas face both miracles and misunderstandings. The crowd’s attempt to worship them as gods highlights the human tendency to confuse divine power with its earthly instruments. Paul and Barnabas, however, remain humble, recognizing that they are merely messengers of God’s love. In John’s Gospel, Jesus explains that love is not merely an emotion but a commitment to keeping His commandments. This love is reciprocal—God loves us, and we respond by loving Him through obedience. Jesus also assures us that the Holy Spirit will guide us in understanding and living out His teachings.
These readings are deeply connected. In Acts, we see the practical expression of faith through missionary work and the challenges it entails. In John, we are given the spiritual foundation for that faith—love, obedience, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Together, they remind us that faith is not just about belief but about living out that belief in humility and service. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this faith. Like Paul and Barnabas, we may face trials, but we must remain steadfast in our commitment to God. Like the disciples, we must love God by keeping His commandments and trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The moral lesson here is clear: true faith leads to humility and service, not glory or recognition. Just as Paul and Barnabas rejected the crowd’s adoration, we too must avoid the temptation to seek praise for our efforts. Instead, we should focus on glorifying God through our actions and living out His love in our daily lives. Let us strive to be faithful servants, trusting in God’s plan and allowing His love to shine through us.