Daily Readings - Thu Jun 05 2025
Acts
30But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
6Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial."7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.9Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?"10And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.11The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."
John
20"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,21that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.24Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.25O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.26I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of unity, faith, and God's plan. The first reading from Acts presents Paul standing before the Sanhedrin, where he cleverly exploits the theological divide between the Pharisees and Sadducees, leading to his rescue by Roman soldiers. This scene underscores the complexities of human conflict and the ways in which even in turmoil, God's providence can prevail. The second reading, from John's Gospel, offers a stark contrast as Jesus prays for the unity of his disciples, expressing his deep desire for oneness among those who follow him.
The context of these readings reveals the tension between division and unity. In Acts, Paul's trial highlights the fractured state of the Jewish leadership, with the Sadducees and Pharisees holding opposing beliefs about the resurrection and the afterlife. This division creates chaos, but it also allows Paul to be saved from potential harm. In John's Gospel, Jesus' prayer for unity takes place on the eve of his Passion, emphasizing the importance of harmony among believers as they face the challenges of the world. While the first reading shows the reality of division, the second reading offers a vision of the unity that God desires for his people.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we navigate the tensions between division and unity in our own lives. Like Paul, we may find ourselves in situations where differences of opinion or belief lead to conflict. Yet, even in such moments, God's plan can unfold in unexpected ways. Like Jesus, we are called to pray for unity, not just for ourselves, but for all those who will come to believe in him through us. This unity is not about uniformity of thought or the absence of challenges, but about being one in heart and mind, grounded in our shared faith in God.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us strive to be instruments of unity in a world often marked by division. Let us pray for the grace to see beyond our differences and to work toward harmony in our relationships and communities. May we trust in God's providence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain, and may we always remember that our ultimate unity comes from God, who loves us and desires that we be one in him.