Daily Readings - Thu Apr 26 2018
Acts
13Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,14but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.15After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."16So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:"Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.17The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.18And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.19And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.20All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.21Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.22And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'23Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.24Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.25And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'
John
16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.18I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'19I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.20Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us in understanding the essence of leadership and service. The first reading from Acts 13:13-25 presents Paul preaching in the synagogue at Antioch, tracing the history of Israel and highlighting God’s faithfulness. Paul connects this history to the coming of Jesus, emphasizing that the promise of salvation is fulfilled in Him. The second reading, John 13:16-20, captures Jesus during the Last Supper, where He underscores the importance of humility and unity among His disciples, urging them to follow His example of servant leadership.
The context of these readings is significant. Paul’s sermon in Acts is part of his missionary journey, where he seeks to connect the Jewish community with the message of Jesus, showing how He is the culmination of their history. In John’s Gospel, the setting is intimate, as Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, teaching them about true leadership and unity. Both readings highlight the themes of leadership and service, illustrating that true authority is rooted in humility and love.
These readings relate by emphasizing the call to serve and follow God’s plan. Paul’s sermon and Jesus’ teachings remind us that our roles are not about personal glory but about serving others. This call to service is universal, applicable in our daily lives. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or homes, we are invited to embrace humility and serve with love. The moral lesson here is clear: true leadership mirrors Jesus’ example, prioritizing the needs of others and remaining faithful to God’s plan.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we can embody servant leadership in our own lives. May we strive to serve with humility, unity, and love, following the path laid out by Jesus and proclaimed by Paul. In doing so, we not only honor God but also become instruments of His grace in the world.