Daily Readings - Wed May 15 2019
Acts
1Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.
John
44And Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.45And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.46I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.47If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.48The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.49For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment--what to say and what to speak.50And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter the vibrant life of the early Church and the profound teachings of Jesus. The first reading from Acts describes the thriving community in Antioch, where prophets and teachers, including Barnabas and Saul, are ministering. The Holy Spirit interrupts their fasting and prayer, calling them to set aside Saul and Barnabas for a special mission. This moment marks the beginning of the first great missionary journey, as they are sent forth by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word of God in Cyprus. The reading highlights the Church’s openness to the Spirit’s guidance and its readiness to respond to God’s call, even when it means letting go of familiar faces.
The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the Light of the world, emphasizing that faith in Him is faith in the Father who sent Him. Jesus clarifies that He did not come to judge but to save, and that those who reject Him will be judged by His words on the last day. This passage underscores the urgency of responding to God’s Word and the eternal consequences of accepting or rejecting it. Jesus’ words are not His own but come from the Father, and they are a path to eternal life.
These readings remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger mission. Like the early Church, we are called to listen to the Holy Spirit and be open to where God is leading us. Jesus’ words challenge us to examine how we receive and live out His teachings in our daily lives. Are we reflecting His light in the world, or are we allowing darkness to prevail? Let us ask for the grace to be faithful stewards of the Word, trusting in God’s plan and allowing His light to shine through us.