Daily Readings - Sun May 21 2017
1 Peter
15but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;16yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
John
15"If you love me, you will keep my commandments.16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.18"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.19Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.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."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we reflect on the essence of our faith and the promise of divine presence in our lives. The first reading from 1 Peter encourages us to sanctify Christ in our hearts, always ready to share the hope that defines us. It reminds us that suffering for righteousness is better than for wrongdoing, as Christ’s sacrifice for our sins exemplifies. The Gospel from John 14, part of Jesus’ farewell discourse, emphasizes love through obedience to His commandments. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who will guide and comfort us, ensuring we are not alone. He assures us of eternal life and unity with the Father, seen through our love and obedience.
These readings connect through themes of hope, love, and divine presence. 1 Peter contextualizes the hope we have in Christ amidst trials, while John 14 provides comfort through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Together, they remind us that our faith is not just belief but a way of life marked by love and obedience. The Holy Spirit’s presence is our strength, enabling us to live out our faith courageously.
In our daily lives, let us embrace this hope and love. May we be ready to share our faith with others and find comfort in the Holy Spirit’s presence, especially in challenging times. Let us strive to live in unity with God, reflecting His love and truth in all we do. Through this, we embody the hope and love that define our Christian identity, inspired by the promise of eternal life and the Spirit’s guidance.