Daily Readings - Tue May 16 2017
Acts
19But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.20But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.21When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.23And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.24Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.25And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia,26and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.27And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.28And they remained no little time with the disciples.
Sermon
The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles recounts the perseverance of St. Paul and Barnabas as they faced intense persecution during their missionary journey. Despite being stoned and left for dead, Paul rose, continued preaching, and strengthened the faith of the early Christian communities. This passage highlights the resilience of the apostles and their unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of suffering. It also reminds us that the journey of faith is not without its trials, but through them, God’s grace sustains us and leads us to deeper trust in His plan.
The reading invites us to reflect on the cost of discipleship. Just as Paul and Barnabas endured hardships to proclaim the Good News, we too are called to remain faithful in the face of challenges. The early Christians were exhorted to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that the kingdom of God is entered through many tribulations. This truth is timeless. In our own lives, we may encounter struggles, whether personal, spiritual, or relational. Yet, like the apostles, we are called to trust in God’s providence and to persevere, knowing that our trials are opportunities to grow in holiness and to bear witness to the power of faith.
As we apply this to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where are we being called to persevere? How can we, like Paul and Barnabas, trust in God’s plan even when the path seems uncertain or difficult? The moral lesson here is clear: faith is not about avoiding suffering but about trusting God in the midst of it. May we, like the early disciples, find strength in prayer, in the sacraments, and in the support of our Christian community. Let us remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that through our trials, God is shaping us and preparing us for the eternal kingdom He has promised.