Daily Readings - Fri May 18 2018
Acts
27When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
13Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.14And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man left prisoner by Felix,15and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.16I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.17So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.18When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed.19Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.20Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them.21But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar."
John
15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."16He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."17He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.18Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."19(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to faith, perseverance, and the transformative power of love. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul, a prisoner of his faith, standing firm despite the uncertainty of his situation. Festus, the new governor, is perplexed by the charges against Paul, which revolve around religious disputes rather than any real crime. This passage reminds us that living as a follower of Christ can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and challenges, but it also highlights the importance of remaining steadfast in our commitment to the truth.
In the Gospel, Jesus engages Peter in a deeply personal conversation after His resurrection. Three times, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, and each time, Peter affirms his love. Jesus responds by entrusting Peter with the care of His flock, saying, "Feed my sheep." This exchange is not just about Peter; it is about all of us. Jesus is calling us to love Him with a love that is demonstrated through service and care for others. Just as Peter was called to shepherd the early Church, we too are called to tend to the needs of those around us, whether in our families, communities, or workplaces.
These readings challenge us to examine how we live out our faith in daily life. Like Paul, we may face situations where our beliefs are misunderstood or tested. Like Peter, we are called to love deeply and to serve selflessly. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be more than words; it must be lived out in action. Let us ask ourselves today: How am I feeding Christ's sheep? How am I living out my love for Him in the midst of life's challenges? May we, like Paul and Peter, embrace the call to follow Christ with courage, perseverance, and love.