Daily Readings - Tue May 24 2022
Acts
22The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.23And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.24Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,26and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.27When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.28But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."29And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.30Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"31And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.34Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
John
5But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.8And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;10concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;11concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful stories of faith, transformation, and the presence of God in the midst of suffering. The first reading from Acts tells the story of Paul and Silas, who, despite being beaten and imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, prayed and sang hymns to God. Their faith and joy were so evident that even the other prisoners listened. When an earthquake struck, the prison doors opened, and the jailer, fearing the prisoners had escaped, prepared to take his own life. Yet Paul, filled with compassion, assured him that no one had fled. This moment of grace led the jailer to ask, “What must I do to be saved?” and he, along with his household, was baptized. The reading shows how suffering can become an opportunity for witness and how the power of God can transform even the darkest situations.
The Gospel from John complements this narrative by focusing on the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells His disciples that His departure is necessary for the Advocate to come. The Holy Spirit, Jesus explains, will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This passage reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not just a comforter but also a guide who reveals truth and transforms hearts. Just as the jailer in Acts encountered the power of God through Paul and Silas, we too can experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to challenges and how we share the Good News with others. Like Paul and Silas, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, even in the face of adversity. Their example teaches us that suffering can be a moment of grace, not just for ourselves, but also for those around us. The Gospel reminds us that the Holy Spirit is always at work, opening hearts and minds to the truth of God’s love. Let us ask for the courage to witness to our faith, even in difficult circumstances, and for the grace to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives.