Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 15, 2025
First Reading: Acts 13.13-25
13Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,14but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.15After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."16So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:"Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.17The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.18And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.19And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.20All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.21Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.22And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'23Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.24Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.25And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'
Psalm 89
1I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.2For I said, "Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness."3You have said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant:4'I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.'" Selah5Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!6For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,7a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?8O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you?9You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.10You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.11The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.12The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.13You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand.14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.15Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face,16who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted.17For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted.18For our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.19Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: "I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.20I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him,21so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.22The enemy shall not outwit him; the wicked shall not humble him.23I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.24My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him, and in my name shall his horn be exalted.25I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.26He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.'27And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.28My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him.29I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens.30If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules,31if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments,32then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes,33but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness.34I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.35Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David.36His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me.37Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies." Selah38But now you have cast off and rejected; you are full of wrath against your anointed.39You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust.40You have breached all his walls; you have laid his strongholds in ruins.41All who pass by plunder him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors.42You have exalted the right hand of his foes; you have made all his enemies rejoice.43You have also turned back the edge of his sword, and you have not made him stand in battle.44You have made his splendor to cease and cast his throne to the ground.45You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with shame. Selah46How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire?47Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man!48What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah49Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David?50Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked, and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations,51with which your enemies mock, O LORD, with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed.52Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.
Gospel: John 13.16-20
16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.18I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'19I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.20Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through the missionary work of Paul and the profound teachings of Jesus, each offering insights into leadership, service, and trust. The first reading from Acts 13:13-25 recounts Paul's sermon in the synagogue, where he traces Israel's history and presents Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise. This passage highlights Paul's role as a leader and preacher, spreading the Gospel beyond the Jewish community. The Gospel from John 13:16-20 captures Jesus teaching his disciples about true leadership through service and humility, while also predicting betrayal, emphasizing trust and divine plan.
Both readings intertwine themes of leadership and trust. Paul, as a missionary, embodies servant leadership, while Jesus teaches that true greatness lies in serving others. The prediction of betrayal in the Gospel reminds us that challenges and disappointments are part of the journey, yet trust in God's plan remains steadfast. These themes connect as they both call us to embrace our roles as servants and leaders, trusting in God's providence even amidst adversity.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own leadership and service. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or families, we are called to lead with humility and serve with love. Trusting in God's plan, even when faced with challenges, strengthens our faith. Let us strive to follow Jesus's example, serving others and trusting in His divine plan, ensuring our actions reflect our commitment to Him and His community.