Daily Readings - Wed Apr 24 2024
Acts
1Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.
John
44And Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.45And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.46I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.47If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.48The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.49For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment--what to say and what to speak.50And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."
Sermon
The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the vibrant life of the early Church in Antioch, where prophets and teachers, including Barnabas and Saul, ministered together. The Holy Spirit intervenes, calling Saul and Barnabas to a special mission, and with prayer and fasting, the community commissions them for this work. This passage highlights the Church’s reliance on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and the importance of communal discernment and support in fulfilling God’s will. The second reading from John’s Gospel presents Jesus as the light of the world, sent by the Father to save humanity. Jesus emphasizes that His words are not His own but come from the Father, and those who reject His message will be judged by it on the last day. This passage underscores the divine authority of Jesus’ teachings and the seriousness of responding to His call.
Both readings emphasize the theme of being sent and guided by God. In Acts, the Holy Spirit sends Barnabas and Saul on their mission, while in John, Jesus is sent by the Father to bring light and salvation to the world. Together, these readings remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger divine plan. Just as the early Church in Antioch listened to the Holy Spirit and supported those called to mission, we too are called to discern God’s will in our lives and to trust in His guidance.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Am I open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in my life? Do I trust that God has a plan for me, even when it involves stepping out of my comfort zone? Jesus’ words remind us that His teachings are not optional but are the path to eternal life. Let us strive to live by His words and to share His light with others, just as Barnabas and Saul did. May we, like the early Church, be a community that supports one another in fulfilling the mission God has given us, and may we always remember that our ultimate judge is the Word of God, who is also our Savior.