Daily Readings - Sat May 02 2020
Acts
31So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.32Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.33There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.34And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose.35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.36Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.37In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay."39So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.40But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.41And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
John
53So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.60When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"61But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.64But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)65And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."66After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.67So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,69and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that highlight the transformative power of faith and the divine presence in our lives. The first reading from Acts recounts two miracles performed by Peter—healing the paralytic Aeneas and raising Dorcas from the dead. These miracles not only demonstrate the Holy Spirit's active role in the early Church but also show how faith can lead to extraordinary acts of healing and conversion. The second reading from John presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, where He explains the necessity of partaking in His flesh and blood for eternal life. This teaching divides the crowd, leading some disciples to leave, yet Peter's unwavering confession underscores the commitment required to follow Christ.
The context of these readings is crucial. Acts depicts the early Church's growth, with Peter as a key figure embodying the faith and power of the Holy Spirit. John's Gospel, set during Jesus' ministry, captures a moment where His teachings challenge the disciples' understanding, testing their faith. Both readings, though from different periods, share a common theme: the role of faith in action and commitment. Peter's miracles in Acts are a direct result of his faith, while in John, the disciples' faith is tested by Jesus' challenging words.
Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are reminded to trust in God's power and remain open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Just as Peter trusted God to perform miracles, we can trust Him in our own challenges. The disciples' experience in John teaches us that faith requires commitment, even when teachings are difficult. Our moral takeaway is that faith is not just belief but also surrender and trust. It is through this faith that we experience God's power and grow in our relationship with Him, standing firm even in the face of adversity.