Daily Readings - Sat Apr 27 2024
Acts
44The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.45But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.46And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.47For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"48And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.49And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.50But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.51But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
John
7If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.12"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.13Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the universal nature of God’s love and the call to share that love with the world. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul and Barnabas facing rejection from the Jews, who envy the crowds gathering to hear the Word of God. Despite this, Paul and Barnabas remain steadfast in their mission, turning to the Gentiles and proclaiming that salvation is meant for all people. This moment marks a pivotal shift in the early Church, as the Gospel begins to spread beyond the Jewish community. The Gentiles, in turn, receive the message with joy, showing that God’s plan is not limited to one group but is intended for the ends of the earth.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to Philip about the intimate relationship between the Father and the Son. Philip asks Jesus to reveal the Father, but Jesus responds by emphasizing that seeing him is seeing the Father. This exchange underscores the unity of God’s nature and the way Jesus embodies the Father’s love. Jesus then extends this unity to his disciples, promising that those who believe in him will do even greater works. This is a call to trust in God’s presence within us and to act with faith, knowing that we are part of a larger plan to bring God’s love to the world.
These readings remind us that God’s love is not confined to specific groups or boundaries. Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to share this love with courage and perseverance, even in the face of rejection. And like Philip, we are invited to deepen our understanding of God’s nature, recognizing that Jesus reveals the Father to us. In our daily lives, this means embracing diversity, being open to those who may seem different from us, and trusting that God is at work in all things. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s universal love, bringing light and hope to a world in need.