Daily Readings - Thu May 18 2023
Acts
1After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.2And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,3and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.4And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.5When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.6And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."7And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.8Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
John
16"A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me."17So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?"18So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about."19Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'?20Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts tells us about Paul’s ministry in Corinth, where he meets Aquila and Priscilla, Jewish exiles from Rome, and works with them as tentmakers. Despite facing opposition in the synagogue, Paul remains steadfast in preaching the Gospel, and many Corinthians come to believe and are baptized. The reading highlights Paul’s resilience and trust in God’s plan, even in the face of rejection. The Gospel from John presents Jesus comforting his disciples with the promise that though they will mourn his departure, their sorrow will turn to joy. Jesus is preparing them for his return to the Father and the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will guide them in his absence.
Both readings speak to the theme of transition and trust in God’s plan. In Acts, Paul’s ministry shifts from the synagogue to the Gentiles, showing how God’s plan unfolds even when human efforts seem to fail. In John, Jesus assures his disciples that his departure is not an end but a new beginning, one that will bring them joy beyond their current sorrow. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is rooted in trust, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
In our daily lives, we often face moments of transition or rejection, just like Paul and the disciples. These readings invite us to embrace such moments with faith, knowing that God is always at work. Like Paul, we can remain steadfast in our mission, even when faced with opposition. And like the disciples, we can trust that our sorrow will be transformed into joy, not because the pain disappears, but because God’s presence remains with us. Let us, therefore, approach life’s challenges with courage and hope, trusting that God’s plan will bring light out of darkness and joy out of sorrow.