Daily Readings - Mon May 19 2025

⁵When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,⁶they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country,⁷and there they continued to preach the gospel.⁸Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.⁹He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,¹⁰said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and began walking.¹¹And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"¹²Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.¹³And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.¹⁴But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,¹⁵"Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.¹⁶In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.¹⁷Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."¹⁸Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

John

Chapter 14

²¹Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."²²Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?"²³Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.²⁴Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.²⁵"These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.²⁶But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Sermon

The first reading from Acts and the Gospel of John both invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, love, and our relationship with God. In the first reading, Paul and Barnabas encounter a lame man in Lystra who is healed through Paul's faith and proclamation. The crowd, in awe of this miracle, mistakenly identifies Paul and Barnabas as gods. However, the apostles quickly correct them, insisting that they are merely human beings sent to preach the truth of the living God. This passage reminds us that true faith is not about seeking glory for ourselves but about pointing others to the one true God who creates and sustains all things. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of love and obedience. He says that those who love Him will keep His commandments, and in return, the Father will love them, and Jesus will manifest Himself to them. This intimate relationship with God is not reserved for the select few but is open to all who are willing to live according to His word. Jesus also speaks of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will guide us in understanding and living out God’s will. This passage invites us to reflect on the depth of God’s love for us and the transformative power of living in accordance with His teachings. Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about personal belief but about how we live out that belief in our daily lives. Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to be witnesses of God’s love and truth, even in the face of misunderstanding or rejection. Like the disciples, we are called to love God by keeping His commandments and remaining open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let us ask ourselves: Are we allowing God to manifest Himself in our lives? Are we living in a way that reflects His love and truth to the world around us? May we, like the lame man in Lystra, have the faith to stand up and walk in the ways of the Lord.