Daily Readings - Mon May 27 2019
Acts
11So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.13And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.14One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.15And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
John
1"I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.2They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.3And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.4But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments of faith and mission. The first reading from Acts describes Paul’s journey to Philippi, where he meets Lydia, a devout woman whose heart is opened by God to receive the Gospel. This encounter leads to her baptism and the beginning of a thriving Christian community. The Gospel, from John, shifts our focus to Jesus’ promise of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will testify to the truth of Jesus’ mission. Jesus also warns His disciples of the persecution they will face but assures them that the Spirit will guide and strengthen them in their witness.
The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the early Christian experience. In Acts, we see the Church expanding beyond Jerusalem, reaching Gentiles like Lydia, who becomes a symbol of openness to God’s grace. Her hospitality and faith exemplify the kind of community the early Church sought to build. In John’s Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for a world that will reject them, but He promises the Holy Spirit as their helper and guide. This promise is not just for the disciples but for all believers, reminding us that we are never alone in living out our faith.
These readings are connected by the theme of witnessing to the truth of God’s love. In Acts, Lydia’s conversion and hospitality bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. In John, the Holy Spirit is the ultimate witness to Jesus, enabling believers to endure trials and remain faithful. Together, these readings call us to be open to the Spirit’s guidance, to trust in God’s providence, and to live with courage and hospitality, even in the face of challenges.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we open to the Spirit’s prompting in our lives? Do we trust in God’s plan, even when the path is uncertain? How can we, like Lydia, welcome others into our lives and share the Good News with generosity and joy? May we embrace the Spirit’s gift of courage and truth, and may our lives bear witness to the love of Christ in all we do.