Daily Readings - Tue May 13 2025
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 first reading from Acts describes the early Christian community’s expansion beyond Jerusalem, as believers, scattered by persecution, carried the Gospel to new regions, including Antioch. There, Barnabas, a man of faith and grace, was sent by the Jerusalem Church to support this growing community. He later sought out Saul, who would become Paul, the great missionary. This passage highlights the Church’s rapid growth and the unity of believers across diverse backgrounds. The Gospel from John presents Jesus at the Feast of the Dedication, where he is questioned by the Jews about his identity. Jesus responds by affirming his unity with the Father and explaining that his sheep hear his voice and follow him, receiving eternal life. This passage emphasizes Jesus’ divine authority and the intimate relationship he shares with those who belong to him.
These readings are deeply connected. In Acts, we see the early Church living out the mission of spreading the Gospel, which Jesus had entrusted to his followers. The unity and faith of the early Christians reflect the unity Jesus speaks of in John’s Gospel between himself and the Father. Just as Jesus’ sheep hear his voice and follow him, the early Church listened to the Holy Spirit and trusted in God’s plan, even as they faced challenges. Both readings remind us that being part of God’s family requires faith, trust, and a willingness to follow his will, even when the path is uncertain.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own faith journey. Are we listening to Jesus’ voice and following him with a resolute heart, as Barnabas and the early Christians did? Do we trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem difficult or unclear? Like the early Church, we are called to share the Gospel with others, not just in words but through our actions and the way we live. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living as a Christian, not just in name but in deed? Am I united with Christ and with my brothers and sisters in faith? May we, like Barnabas, be filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, and may we, like Jesus’ sheep, hear his voice and follow him faithfully.