Daily Readings - Thu Jun 01 2017
Acts
30But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
6Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.9Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?"10And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.11The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."
John
20"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,21that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.24Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.25O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.26I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments that invite us to reflect on unity and faith. The first reading from Acts describes Paul's trial, where he cleverly exploits the theological differences between Pharisees and Sadducees, leading to a division that forces the Roman authorities to intervene. This scene highlights Paul's cunning and the tensions within the Jewish leadership, showcasing the challenges of maintaining unity amidst differing beliefs.
The Gospel reading from John presents a stark contrast, as Jesus prays for the unity of all believers. He desires that His followers be one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world may recognize God's love. This prayer emphasizes the divine gift of unity, which transcends human divisions and reflects the boundless love of God.
These readings remind us that while divisions are inevitable in our communities, our faith calls us to strive for unity. Just as Paul navigated the complexities of his time, we too must navigate our own challenges with wisdom and grace. Jesus' prayer teaches us that true unity is not about uniformity but about our shared identity in God. Let us embrace this divine gift, allowing it to transform our relationships and reflect God's love in our world.