Daily Readings - Sun Jun 16 2019
Proverbs
22"The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.23Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.24When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.25Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,26before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.27When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,28when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,29when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,30then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,31rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.
Romans
1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.3More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,5and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
John
12"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.15All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter the timeless themes of wisdom, faith, and the Holy Spirit's guidance. The first reading from Proverbs personifies Wisdom as an eternal companion to God, present from the beginning and delighting in humanity. This emphasizes Wisdom's role in creation and our lives. The second reading from Romans connects faith with peace and hope, highlighting that even in suffering, patience and hope can grow through the Holy Spirit's love. The Gospel from John introduces the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth, guiding us to all truth and glorifying Jesus by revealing His teachings.
These readings intertwine through the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and imparting wisdom. In Proverbs, Wisdom is like the Holy Spirit, guiding creation and humanity. In Romans, the Holy Spirit is the source of hope through faith. In John, the Spirit reveals truth, linking faith and wisdom. Together, they show the Holy Spirit as our guide, offering wisdom and hope.
In daily life, we can apply this by seeking wisdom in our decisions and trusting in the Holy Spirit's guidance. Even in challenges, we can find hope through patience and faith. The moral reflection is to trust in God's plan, seek wisdom, and embrace hope, knowing the Holy Spirit is our constant guide. Let us live with the assurance that through faith and wisdom, we can navigate life's tribulations with hope and peace.