Daily Readings - Thu May 13 2021
Acts
1After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.2And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,3and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.4And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.5When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.6And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."7And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.8Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
John
16"A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me."17So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?"18So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about."19Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'?20Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on perseverance, trust, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Acts 18:1-8 recounts Paul's journey to Corinth, where he faces rejection but continues his missionary work, leading to the conversion of many. The Gospel, John 16:16-20, presents Jesus comforting His disciples with the promise that their sorrow will turn to joy, despite the temporary nature of their suffering.
Both readings are set against the backdrop of challenge and change. Paul, in Corinth, exemplifies perseverance despite opposition, while Jesus prepares His disciples for the trials ahead, assuring them of ultimate joy. These contexts highlight the universal theme of enduring difficulty with faith, knowing that God's plan often unfolds beyond our immediate understanding.
In our daily lives, we often face setbacks and uncertainties. These readings encourage us to embrace perseverance and trust in God's plan. Just as Paul found success among the Gentiles after facing rejection, and just as the disciples found joy after sorrow, we too can transform our struggles into opportunities for growth. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith assures us that sorrow is temporary, and through enduring hardship with trust, we can find profound joy. Let us carry this hope in our hearts, knowing that God weaves our challenges into a tapestry of greater good.