Daily Readings - Sun May 19 2019

²¹When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,²²strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.²³And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.²⁴Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.²⁵And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia,²⁶and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.²⁷And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Revelation

Chapter 21

¹Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.²And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.⁴He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."⁵And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

John

Chapter 13

¹Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.³¹When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.³²If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.³³Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.'³⁴A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.³⁵By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Sermon

In today’s readings, we journey through the early Christian church’s perseverance, a vision of eternal hope, and the commandment of love that binds us together. The first reading from Acts recounts Paul and Barnabas's missionary efforts, highlighting their dedication to spreading the Gospel despite tribulations. They established communities, appointed leaders, and entrusted their flock to God, exemplifying faith and resilience. This narrative underscores the challenges faced by the early church and the importance of standing firm in faith. The second reading from Revelation presents a glorious vision of the New Jerusalem, where God dwells among His people, erasing sorrow and death. This apocalyptic imagery offers hope, reminding us that our earthly struggles are temporary, and God’s promise of eternal life with Him is our ultimate destination. It inspires us to persevere, knowing that our efforts are not in vain. In the Gospel, Jesus, during His last moments with His disciples, issues a new commandment: to love one another as He has loved us. This love is not merely emotional but selfless and sacrificial, reflecting God’s love. It is through this love that we are recognized as His disciples. The connection between the readings is clear: the perseverance in Acts is fueled by the hope in Revelation, and both are lived out through the love commanded in John. In our daily lives, we face challenges, but like the early church, we can endure through faith. Holding onto the hope of eternal life, we are called to love selflessly, just as Christ loved us. This love transforms our interactions, fostering a community that reflects God’s presence. The moral lesson is clear: love is the foundation of Christian life, making us true disciples and guiding us toward the heavenly vision. Let us embrace this love, living it out in every moment, as we journey toward the promise of eternal life.