Daily Readings - Tue May 21 2019
Acts
19But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.20But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.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.28And they remained no little time with the disciples.
John
27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.28You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.29And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.30I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,31but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, perseverance, and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Acts describes the challenges faced by Paul and Barnabas as they spread the Gospel. Despite being stoned and left for dead, Paul rises, continues his mission, and strengthens the faith of the early Christian communities. This passage reminds us that following Christ is not without its trials, but through faith, we find the strength to endure and even flourish amidst adversity. The Gospel from John offers a message of peace and trust. Jesus reassures his disciples that though he is leaving them, his peace remains with them—a peace that the world cannot give. He encourages them to trust in God’s plan, knowing that the Father is greater than all, and that even in the face of challenges, God’s love and commandments guide us.
Both readings are deeply connected by the theme of trust and perseverance in the face of uncertainty. Paul’s courage in the face of physical and spiritual trials mirrors the trust Jesus asks of his disciples. Just as Paul and Barnabas relied on God to sustain them in their missionary work, Jesus invites us to rely on his peace and the Father’s love, even when the world seems overwhelming. These readings remind us that our faith is not about avoiding struggles but about facing them with courage and hope, knowing that God is always with us.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect on how we respond to challenges. Do we let fear or doubt take root, or do we trust in God’s plan and find peace in his presence? Like Paul, we are called to rise again after every fall, to continue our journey of faith, and to strengthen one another in the process. Like the disciples, we are reminded that true peace comes not from the world but from Christ. Let us strive to live with this peace, trusting that even in the midst of tribulations, God’s love and grace will see us through. May we, like Paul and the early Christians, remain steadfast in our faith and share the joy of the Gospel with others.