Daily Readings - Thu Jun 06 2019
Acts
30But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
6Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.9Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?"10And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.11The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."
John
20"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,21that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.24Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.25O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.26I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments that invite us to reflect on faith, unity, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from Acts describes Paul’s trial before the Sanhedrin, where he cleverly exploits the theological differences between the Pharisees and Sadducees to create a division among his accusers. This strategic move not only highlights Paul’s cunning but also underscores his unwavering commitment to his faith, even in the face of danger. Later, Jesus appears to Paul, reassuring him and calling him to perseverance, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God’s presence and guidance are always with us.
The Gospel reading from John 17 presents Jesus’ heartfelt prayer for unity among his disciples and all those who would come to believe in him through their word. Jesus longs for his followers to be one, just as he and the Father are one, so that the world may recognize the divine love that binds them together. This prayer is not just a plea for harmony but a profound revelation of the Trinitarian love that flows between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It invites us to reflect on how we live out this unity in our own lives, whether in our relationships, our communities, or our witness to the world.
These readings remind us that our faith is both a source of strength in the face of challenges and a call to unity in a fragmented world. Just as Paul trusted in God’s plan despite the trials he faced, we too are called to remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. And just as Jesus prayed for unity, we are challenged to work toward oneness in our own lives—whether in our families, our parishes, or our broader communities. May we allow the love of God to flow through us, uniting us in purpose and witness, so that the world may see the glory of God shining through us.