Daily Readings - Tue May 07 2024
Acts
22The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.23And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely.24Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,26and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.27When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.28But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."29And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.30Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"31And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.33And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.34Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
John
5But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.8And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;10concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;11concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives that illuminate the transformative power of faith and the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives. From the Acts of the Apostles, we witness Paul and Silas’s unwavering faith despite imprisonment. Their prayers and hymns of praise precede a miraculous earthquake that frees them. The jailer, faced with despair, finds salvation through Paul’s guidance, leading to the baptism of him and his family. This story underscores the triumph of faith over adversity and the immediate impact of the Holy Spirit’s presence.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, promising the Holy Spirit as their Advocate. The Spirit’s role is to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Jesus’s departure, though sorrowful for the disciples, is necessary for the Spirit’s arrival, bringing truth and guidance. This passage highlights the Holy Spirit’s essential role in revealing truth and transforming hearts.
These readings connect through the Holy Spirit’s active presence. In Acts, the Spirit empowers Paul and Silas, leading to conversion. In John, the Spirit is promised to guide and convict. Together, they reveal the Spirit’s mission to bring truth and transformation. In our lives, this means embracing faith, trusting in God’s plan, and remaining open to the Spirit’s guidance. May we live with courage and joy, sharing our faith and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us, bringing light and truth to a world in need.