Daily Readings - Wed Apr 19 2023
Acts
17But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy18they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,20"Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life."21And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council and all the senate of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.22But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,23"We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside."24Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.25And someone came and told them, "Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people."26Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
John
16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.19And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.20For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.21But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, obedience, and the transformative power of God's love. The first reading from Acts recounts the courage of the Apostles who, despite imprisonment and persecution, continued to preach the Good News. Freed miraculously by an angel, they returned to the temple, undeterred by the risks, embodying unwavering commitment to their mission. This passage highlights the early Christian community's resilience and trust in divine providence amidst adversity.
The Gospel from John presents one of the most profound expressions of God's love: the gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ. This passage emphasizes that God's intent is not to condemn but to save, offering eternal life to all who believe. It contrasts light and darkness, urging us to embrace truth and reject evil. Jesus, the Light of the World, reveals that our works must align with God's truth, reflecting our commitment to living in His grace.
These readings intertwine themes of obedience and faith. The Apostles' perseverance mirrors Jesus' obedience to His Father's will, demonstrating that true discipleship involves standing firm in faith despite challenges. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace this same courage and trust, trusting in God's plan even when faced with obstacles. Let us choose to walk in the light of Christ, allowing His truth to guide our actions and decisions. May we, like the Apostles, faithfully proclaim God's love and live as beacons of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness.