Daily Readings - Wed Apr 28 2021
Acts
1Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.
John
44And Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.45And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.46I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.47If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.48The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.49For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment--what to say and what to speak.50And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that illuminate the essence of divine mission and our role within it. The first reading from Acts describes the early Church's vibrant growth, where the Holy Spirit commissions Barnabas and Saul for a special mission. This moment in Antioch, a hub of early Christianity, underscores the Church's missionary spirit, driven by fasting, prayer, and obedience to the Spirit. The Gospel from John presents Jesus, the Light of the World, emphasizing His mission from the Father to save humanity. Jesus' words remind us that rejecting Him means facing judgment, not from His condemnation, but from the truth of His message.
Both readings converge on the theme of being sent by God. In Acts, the Holy Spirit sends out missionaries, while in John, Jesus is sent by the Father. This duality highlights the Trinitarian nature of mission, where each person of the Trinity plays a role in reaching out to humanity. This mission is not limited to the apostles but extends to all believers, calling us to be ambassadors of God's love and truth in our own contexts.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our daily lives are part of a larger divine mission. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or families, we are called to spread God's word through our actions and words. Like Barnabas and Saul, we must be attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, willing to step out in faith. Jesus' message of salvation urges us to embrace our role as bearers of light, dispelling darkness and bringing hope. Let us heed this call, allowing God's truth and love to shine through us, transforming the world one interaction at a time.