Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 18, 2025
First Reading: Acts 14.21b-27
21When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.23And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.24Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.25And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia,26and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.27And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Psalm 145
1I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.2Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.5On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.7They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.10All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,12to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]14The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.16You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Second Reading: Revelation 21.1-5a
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."5And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Gospel: John 13.1, 31-33a, 34-35
1Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.31When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.32If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.'34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through themes of perseverance, hope, and love. The first reading from Acts recounts Paul and Barnabas’s missionary journey, where they faced tribulations but remained steadfast, establishing churches and encouraging believers to remain faithful. This highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, a cornerstone of our faith.
The second reading from Revelation offers a vision of a new heaven and earth, where God dwells among His people, bringing an end to suffering. This vision reminds us that our current struggles are temporary and that God’s promise of eternal life with Him is our ultimate hope.
In the Gospel, Jesus institutes a new commandment: to love one another as He has loved us. This love is not just a feeling but a choice that reflects our commitment to Him. By living out this love, we become His disciples, recognized by our actions.
In our daily lives, let us embrace perseverance, hold onto hope, and choose to love selflessly. May we, like Paul and Barnabas, remain faithful in trials, look forward to God’s promises, and love one another as Jesus loved us, becoming beacons of His love in the world.