Daily Readings - Thu May 04 2023
Acts
13Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,14but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.15After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."16So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:"Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.17The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.18And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.19And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.20All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.21Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.22And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'23Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.24Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.25And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'
John
16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.18I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'19I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.20Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through two significant moments in the narrative of our faith. The first reading from Acts 13:13-25 captures Paul’s sermon in the synagogue of Antioch, where he traces the history of God’s covenant with Israel, culminating in the arrival of Jesus as the Savior. Paul’s message is one of fulfillment, showing how Jesus is the pinnacle of God’s plan for His people. The second reading, John 13:16-20, finds Jesus at the Last Supper, imparting a lesson on servant leadership and foretelling the betrayal He will endure, emphasizing the unity between Himself and the Father.
The context of these readings is pivotal. Paul, on his missionary journey, is addressing a Jewish audience, linking Jesus to their rich history to illustrate the fulfillment of prophecy. This approach helps his listeners connect their traditions with the new covenant. In John’s Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, highlighting the challenges they will face and the importance of remaining faithful. Both readings underscore themes of divine mission and trust in God’s plan.
These passages relate through their emphasis on mission and trust. Paul’s historical recap in Acts mirrors Jesus’ words in John, both calling for faith in God’s plan. Paul shows God’s faithfulness through history, while Jesus prepares His disciples for future trials, reinforcing the importance of trust. Together, they remind us that our faith is rooted in God’s providence and that our actions reflect our commitment to His will.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when uncertain. Our faithfulness, like Paul’s and the disciples’, should manifest in our actions and decisions. Recognizing that our efforts, whether large or small, are part of a greater divine mission, we are encouraged to embrace our roles with dedication and love.
The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God’s providence and remain faithful. Just as Paul and the disciples trusted in their missions, we too must trust in God’s guidance. Our service to others is a reflection of our love for God, and through our actions, we embody the teachings of Christ. Let us strive to live with this trust and faithfulness, knowing that our efforts contribute to a larger purpose.