Daily Readings - Thu Apr 11 2024
Acts
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them,28saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us."29But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.32And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."33When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
John
31He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.32He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.33Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.34For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.35The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of testimony and obedience to God. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and the apostles stand before the council, refusing to stop teaching about Jesus despite the high priest's orders. Peter's bold response underscores their commitment to obeying God over men, highlighting Jesus' resurrection and their role as witnesses. This passage is set in the early church, where the apostles faced persecution for spreading Jesus' teachings.
The Gospel from John emphasizes Jesus' divine origin, as He testifies to heavenly truths. Jesus' words in John 3:31-36 contrast the earthly and divine realms, stressing that belief in Him leads to eternal life. This passage is part of a larger discourse where Jesus explains His mission, focusing on His role as a divine witness.
Both readings connect through the theme of testimony and obedience. The apostles in Acts follow Jesus' example from John, who testified to divine truths. In our daily lives, this calls us to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with challenges. We are to courageously share the Gospel, trusting in God's plan. The moral lesson is clear: obedience to God is paramount, and our faith should lead us to testify about Jesus, even in difficult situations.