Daily Readings - Tue Apr 23 2024
Acts
19Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.21And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.22The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.23When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,24for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.25So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
John
22At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,23and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.24So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."25Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,26but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.30I and the Father are one."
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the power of faith and the unity that comes from following Christ. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community expanding beyond Jerusalem, as believers scattered by persecution carry the Gospel to new lands. Barnabas, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, is sent to Antioch to support this growing community. There, he finds joy in the grace of God at work and encourages the people to remain steadfast in their faith. This passage highlights the importance of perseverance and the role of compassionate leadership in nurturing the faith of others. It also shows how the Church, even in its early days, was called to be inclusive, reaching out to people of different backgrounds.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks during the Feast of the Dedication, a time when Jews celebrated the rededication of the Temple. Surrounded by questions and doubts, Jesus reaffirms his identity as the Messiah and explains the intimate relationship he shares with his Father. He describes his followers as his sheep, who hear his voice and trust in his care. This passage invites us to reflect on our own relationship with Christ. Do we truly listen to his voice? Do we trust in his promise of eternal life? Jesus’ words remind us that our faith is not just about intellectual assent but about a deep, personal connection with him, one that gives us the strength to persevere through life’s challenges.
Today’s readings call us to live as true disciples of Christ, trusting in his guidance and remaining faithful even when faced with uncertainty. Just as the early Church in Antioch grew because of the courage of believers and the leadership of Barnabas, we too can contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom by sharing the Gospel with others and living with integrity. Let us strive to be like Christ’s sheep, attentive to his voice and confident in the love and protection he offers. May we, like Barnabas, be sources of encouragement and hope for those around us, and may our lives bear witness to the transformative power of God’s grace.