Daily Readings - Thu May 16 2019
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 journey through two significant moments in the narrative of faith. The first reading from Acts 13 finds Paul addressing a synagogue, where he succinctly recounts Israel's history, from their origins in Egypt to the arrival of Jesus as the Savior. This historical account is not merely a recitation of past events but a bridge connecting the community's heritage to the present reality of salvation through Jesus. Paul's message is one of fulfillment, highlighting how Jesus embodies the culmination of God's promises.
In the Gospel of John 13, Jesus engages His disciples during the Last Supper, discussing themes of servant leadership and betrayal. He underscores the humility required in following Him, noting that a servant is not greater than the master. This passage also touches on the pain of betrayal, with Jesus foreseeing one of His closest disciples turning against Him. Yet, amidst this foresight, He emphasizes the importance of receiving His messengers as receiving Himself and the Father.
These readings intertwine the themes of divine plan and discipleship. Paul's address in Acts illustrates God's overarching plan, while John's passage delves into the personal challenges of following Jesus. Together, they call us to embrace humility and trust in God's plan, even when faced with adversity. In our daily lives, this means living as servants, trusting in God's providence, and being open to receiving others with the same grace we would extend to Christ. The moral here is clear: our faith is lived through humble service and unwavering trust in God's plan.