Daily Readings - Tue May 23 2017
First Reading - Acts 16.22-34
Acts
And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Gospel - John 16.5-11
John
But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:Of sin, because they believe not on me;Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that illuminate the power of faith and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. The first reading from Acts 16:22-34 recounts the trials of Paul and Silas, who, despite being beaten and imprisoned, prayed and praised God. Their faith was met with a miraculous earthquake that freed them and led to the conversion of the jailer and his household. This story highlights the resilience of faith in the face of adversity and the unexpected ways God can work through suffering.
The Gospel reading from John 16:5-11 shifts our focus to Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus explains that His departure is necessary for the Spirit to come, who will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This passage is part of Jesus' farewell discourse, preparing His disciples for His departure and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, who will guide and comfort them.
These readings intertwine beautifully, as both illustrate the Holy Spirit's role in transformation. In Acts, the Spirit's power leads to miraculous freedom and conversion, while in John, the Spirit is promised as a guide and comforter. Together, they remind us that faith, even in difficult times, can lead to unexpected blessings and that the Holy Spirit is ever-present to guide us.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's plan, especially when faced with challenges. Just as Paul and Silas found strength in prayer and praise, we too can find peace in trusting God. The Holy Spirit, as promised, is our advocate, guiding us through life's uncertainties. Let us embrace the Spirit's presence, allowing Him to transform our hearts and lead us to a deeper faith. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's providence and remain open to the Holy Spirit's transformative work in our lives.