Daily Readings - Wed May 01 2019
Acts
17But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy18they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,20"Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."21And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council and all the senate of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.22But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,23"We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside."24Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.25And someone came and told them, "Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people."26Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
John
16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.19And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.20For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.21But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that illuminate the essence of faith and courage. The first reading from Acts recounts the Apostles' unwavering commitment to their mission despite imprisonment. Freed by an angel, they continue teaching in the temple, undeterred by the authorities' confusion and fear. This episode highlights the early Church's resilience against persecution, driven by their devotion to spreading God's word.
The Gospel from John presents the cornerstone of Christian belief: God's gift of His Son for the salvation of the world. John 3:16 reminds us that belief in Jesus offers eternal life, while rejection leads to condemnation. This passage contrasts light and darkness, emphasizing that those who do good seek the light, while evildoers shun it.
These readings intertwine the themes of perseverance and divine love. The Apostles' courage in Acts is fueled by the message of salvation in John. Their steadfastness in the face of adversity exemplifies living out one's faith fearlessly. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this courage, standing firm in our beliefs even when faced with challenges. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and embrace the light of truth, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions. Let us strive to spread God's word with the same determination as the Apostles, knowing that our faith is a beacon of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness.