Daily Readings - Tue May 18 2021
Acts
17Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.18And when they came to him, he said to them:"You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,19serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.22And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,23except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.24But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.25And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you,27for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
John
1When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,2since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.3And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.4I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.5And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.6"I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.7Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.8For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.9I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.10All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.11And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound moments of reflection and prayer from St. Paul and Jesus, each highlighting their unwavering commitment to their missions and the well-being of their followers. In Acts 20:17-27, St. Paul addresses the elders of Ephesus, recounting his ministry with humility and perseverance despite the trials he faced. He expresses his readiness to face future challenges in Jerusalem, emphasizing that his life’s purpose is to fulfill God’s will. This passage captures Paul’s farewell, underscoring his dedication to spreading the Gospel and his trust in God’s plan.
In John 17:1-11a, Jesus offers a heartfelt prayer to the Father, glorifying Him and acknowledging the authority given to Him. Jesus prays for His disciples, seeking their unity and protection in a world filled with challenges. This prayer, part of the Last Supper narrative, reflects Jesus’ deep concern for His followers and His desire for their unity and perseverance in faith.
Both readings emphasize the themes of commitment, unity, and trust in God. St. Paul’s courage in the face of adversity and Jesus’ prayer for His disciples remind us of the importance of staying faithful despite life’s challenges. They call us to reflect on our own commitment to our faith and our role within the community of believers.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace our mission with dedication, just as Paul and Jesus did. They remind us to trust in God’s plan, even when the future is uncertain, and to pray for one another, seeking unity and strength in our shared faith. Let us strive to live selflessly, dedicated to our faith, and support each other in our spiritual journeys, just as Paul and Jesus exemplified.