Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 1, 2022
First Reading: Acts 20.28-38
28Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.29I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.31Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.33I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.34You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.35In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"36And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.37And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,38being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Psalm 68
1God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!2As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!3But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!4Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him!5Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.6God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.7O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah8the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.9Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished;10your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.11The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host:12"The kings of the armies--they flee, they flee!" The women at home divide the spoil--13though you men lie among the sheepfolds--the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold.14When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalmon.15O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!16Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the LORD will dwell forever?17The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.18You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.19Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah20Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.21But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.22The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,23that you may strike your feet in their blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe."24Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary--25the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines:26"Bless God in the great congregation, the LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain!"27There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.28Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.29Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you.30Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.31Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.32O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah33to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.34Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies.35Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel--he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Gospel: John 17.11b-19
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.12While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.13But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.15I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.19And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of leadership and devotion. The first reading from Acts 20:28-38 captures Paul's heartfelt farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He entrusts them with the care of the Church, purchased by God's blood, warning them of impending challenges and false teachers. Paul emphasizes his own integrity and the importance of generosity, concluding with an emotional departure. The Gospel, John 17:11b-19, presents Jesus' prayer for His disciples, seeking their protection and unity in God's name. He acknowledges the world's hatred but desires their sanctification in truth, not removal from the world.
Both readings are set in contexts of transition and concern for the community. Paul is leaving Ephesus, knowing he won't return, while Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure. The common theme is the importance of unity and protection. Paul urges vigilance and selflessness, while Jesus prays for unity and sanctification, highlighting the need to remain in the world while being set apart by God's truth.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace unity and trust in God's protection. Just as Paul and Jesus entrusted their communities to God, we too can find strength in prayer and fidelity. We are reminded to live generously and remain faithful, even in challenging times. The moral lesson is clear: our unity in Christ and adherence to His truth are our greatest protections, enabling us to thrive in a world that often opposes our values. Let us strive to embody this unity and trust, living as sanctified beings in a world that needs God's light.