Daily Readings - Mon May 10 2021
Acts
11So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.13And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.14One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.15And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
John
1"I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.2They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.3And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.4But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts tells the story of Paul and Silas arriving in Philippi, where they encounter Lydia, a devout woman who listens to their message with an open heart. Through her, the Gospel takes root in Europe, and her household becomes the first Christian community in that region. This passage highlights the power of faith and the unexpected ways God can open hearts to His truth. The second reading from John’s Gospel finds Jesus preparing His disciples for the challenges they will face after His departure. He speaks of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will strengthen them and bear witness to His truth. Jesus also warns them of persecution but assures them that these trials are part of the journey of following Him.
Both readings emphasize the themes of faith, openness to the Spirit, and perseverance in the face of adversity. In Acts, Lydia’s conversion shows how God can use ordinary people in extraordinary ways when they are receptive to His word. In John’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that living as His disciples will not always be easy, but the Spirit will guide and sustain us. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just a private matter but a call to live courageously and share the Good News with others, even when it comes at a cost.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own openness to the Holy Spirit and our willingness to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Like Lydia, we are called to respond generously to God’s grace and to create spaces where others can encounter His love. And like the disciples, we are reminded that our faith will be tested, but we are not alone—God’s Spirit is always with us, guiding us and giving us the strength to persevere. Let us ask for the grace to remain steadfast in our commitment to Christ and to bear witness to His truth in all we do.