Daily Readings - Wed May 11 2022
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 witness the early church's vibrant faith and Jesus' profound message of divine mission. The Acts passage highlights the church in Antioch, guided by the Holy Spirit, commissioning Barnabas and Saul for their missionary journey. This episode underscores the church's reliance on the Spirit and obedience to God's will, illustrating how the early believers were attuned to divine guidance, embarking on their mission with fasting and prayer.
In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes His role as a light to the world, sent by the Father. He clarifies that His mission is one of salvation, not judgment, yet warns that rejection of His message will lead to judgment by His words. This duality of salvation and judgment underscores the seriousness of responding to God's Word.
These readings remind us to listen to the Holy Spirit's promptings in our lives, just as the early church did. Like Barnabas and Saul, we are called to share God's Word with others. Jesus' message invites us to embrace His light, avoiding the darkness of sin, and to take responsibility for living according to His teachings. May we, in our daily lives, obey God's will and share His love, mindful of the eternal life His commandment offers.