Daily Readings - Thu May 25 2017
Acts
1After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.2And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,3and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.4And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.5When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.6And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."7And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.8Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
John
16"A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me."17So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?"18So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about."19Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'?20Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on perseverance, trust, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Acts 18 describes Paul’s missionary journey in Corinth. Despite facing opposition and rejection, Paul remains steadfast in his mission, preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. His courage and resilience ultimately bear fruit, as many Corinthians come to believe and are baptized. This passage reminds us that even in the face of adversity, our commitment to sharing the Good News can lead to unexpected graces and conversions.
The Gospel from John 16 finds Jesus preparing His disciples for his departure. He speaks of a time when they will experience sorrow and confusion, but He assures them that their grief will be transformed into joy. Jesus’ words are both a comfort and a challenge. They remind us that our faith journey is not without its trials, but these trials are opportunities for growth and deeper union with God. Just as the disciples would come to understand the meaning of Jesus’ words after His resurrection, we too can trust that God’s plan, though mysterious at times, will ultimately bring us joy and peace.
These readings call us to embrace the ups and downs of life with faith and hope. Like Paul, we are invited to persevere in our mission to live and share the Gospel, even when it is difficult. Like the disciples, we are reminded that our sorrows are not permanent but will be transformed by God’s grace. Let us ask for the courage to face challenges with trust in God’s plan and the confidence that our struggles will yield to joy. May we, like Paul and the early Christians, remain steadfast in our faith and open to the ways God works in our lives.