Daily Readings - Sun May 10 2020
Acts
1Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.2And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.3Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."5And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.6These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.7And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
1 Peter
4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,5you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."7So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"8and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense."They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
John
1"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.2In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.4And you know the way to where I am going."5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?"6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.12"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Sermon
The readings today guide us to reflect on the nature of faith, service, and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community addressing a practical problem—the fair distribution of resources to widows. The Apostles, recognizing their primary role as spiritual leaders, delegate the task to seven trusted disciples, ensuring that the Word of God remains central to their mission. This passage reminds us that effective service requires both prayer and action, and that leadership involves empowering others to contribute their gifts for the common good.
The second reading from 1 Peter deepens this theme by describing believers as "living stones" built on the cornerstone of Christ. We are called to be a "holy priesthood," offering spiritual sacrifices that honor God. This imagery emphasizes our shared identity as a community of faith, united in our belief in Jesus, the rejected stone who has become the foundation of our salvation. Just as the early church found unity in their mission, we too are called to live as a people set apart, shining with the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in darkness.
In the Gospel, Jesus reassures His disciples with the comforting words, "Do not let your heart be troubled." He invites us to trust in Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the only path to the Father. This passage challenges us to deepen our personal relationship with Jesus, recognizing that our faith is not just about belonging to a community but about a living, intimate connection with Him. Like Philip, we may sometimes struggle to see the Father in Jesus, but Jesus assures us that to see Him is to see the Father. As we navigate the uncertainties of life, may we find peace in Jesus’ promise and strive to reflect His love and truth in all we do.