Daily Readings - Sun May 24 2020

¹In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,²until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.³To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.⁴And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me;⁵for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."⁶So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"⁷He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."⁹And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.¹⁰And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,¹¹and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Ephesians

Chapter 1

¹⁷that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,¹⁸having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might²⁰that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,²¹far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.²²And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Matthew

Chapter 28

¹⁶Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.¹⁷And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.¹⁸And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through pivotal moments in the life of the early Church and the mission of Jesus' disciples. The first reading from Acts recounts Jesus' ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the disciples' role as witnesses. The second reading from Ephesians offers a prayer for wisdom and highlights Christ's supreme authority over all creation. The Gospel in Matthew presents the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to baptize and teach all nations, promising His enduring presence. These readings are interconnected by themes of authority, mission, and empowerment. Acts sets the stage with the ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit, equipping the disciples for their mission. Ephesians deepens our understanding of Christ's authority, which underpins the confidence needed for the task. Matthew's Great Commission calls us to action, supported by the assurance of Christ's presence. In our daily lives, these readings inspire us to embrace our role as modern-day disciples. We are called to trust in God's plan, to be courageous in sharing the Gospel, and to live with purpose, knowing we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. The moral lesson is clear: as followers of Christ, we are entrusted with a mission that requires faith, courage, and reliance on God's power. Let us live with hope and purpose, fulfilling our calling as witnesses of Christ's love and truth.