Daily Readings - Mon Jun 02 2025
Acts
1And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.2And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."3And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism."4And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus."5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.6And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.7There were about twelve men in all.8And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
John
29His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!30Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God."31Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?32Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments in the journey of faith. The first reading from Acts 19:1-8 introduces us to Paul meeting disciples in Ephesus who, though baptized by John, had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Paul baptizes them in the name of Jesus, laying hands on them, and they receive the Spirit, manifesting through tongues and prophecy. This passage highlights the transition from John's baptism of repentance to the fullness of Christian baptism, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's empowering role in the early church.
The Gospel, John 16:29-33, shifts our focus to Jesus' farewell discourse. He assures His disciples that despite the impending challenges and scattering, He is never alone, for the Father is with Him. Jesus offers them peace, reassuring them that He has overcome the world. This passage invites us to trust in God's presence and find peace amidst life's trials.
Both readings converge on the theme of the Holy Spirit. In Acts, the Spirit empowers believers, while in John, the Spirit, though not explicitly mentioned, is implied as the source of peace and strength. This duality reminds us that the Holy Spirit is both our empowerer and our comforter. In our daily lives, we face challenges, but we can trust in the Spirit's presence. Just as the Ephesian disciples needed the Spirit, we too may feel incomplete without fully embracing the Spirit's power. Let us seek to live in the Spirit, trusting in God's plan and finding peace in His overcoming power. The moral lesson here is clear: rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and peace, knowing that even in turmoil, we are never alone.