Daily Readings - Tue May 19 2020
Acts
22The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.23And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.24Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,26and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.27When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.28But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."29And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.30Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"31And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.34Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
John
5But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.8And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;10concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;11concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives that illuminate the transformative power of faith and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from Acts recounts the trials of Paul and Silas, who, despite being beaten and imprisoned, continued to pray and sing hymns. Their unwavering faith not only led to a miraculous earthquake that freed them but also opened the heart of the jailer to the Gospel. This man, on the brink of despair, found salvation through Paul’s words of hope and the grace of baptism.
The Gospel from John presents Jesus preparing His disciples for His departure, promising the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who would guide them in truth and convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This passage reminds us that our faith is not in isolation but is supported by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live according to God’s will, even in challenging times.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God’s plan and our openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Like Paul and Silas, we may face trials, but our perseverance and faith can lead to unexpected graces. The jailer’s conversion shows us the transformative power of belief and the boundless mercy of God. Let us, therefore, embrace the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, trusting that He will lead us to truth and guide us through every challenge. In doing so, we find strength to persevere and share the Good News with others, just as Paul and Silas did.