Daily Readings - Wed May 24 2017

First Reading - Acts 17.15, 22 18.1

¹⁵And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.²²Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

Chapter 18

¹After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

Gospel - John 16.12-15

John

Chapter 16

¹²I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.¹³Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.¹⁴He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.¹⁵All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we journey with Paul as he travels from Athens to Corinth, and we hear Jesus’ promise about the Holy Spirit. Paul, in Acts, observes the superstition of the Athenians, setting the stage for his ministry there. He then moves to Corinth, continuing his missionary work. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit, who will guide the disciples into all truth and glorify Jesus by revealing His teachings to them. The context of these readings is pivotal. Paul’s missionary journeys, as recorded in Acts, highlight his strategic approach to spreading the Gospel, adapting to each community’s needs. The Athenians, steeped in philosophy and religion, required a tailored message. In John’s Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, assuring them of the Holy Spirit’s role in continuing His work, ensuring they are not left as orphans but empowered to fulfill their mission. These readings connect through the theme of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Just as the Spirit guided Paul in his missionary efforts, so too does the Spirit guide us today. The Spirit’s role in teaching and guiding us is essential, enabling us to share the Gospel effectively in our own contexts. This connection invites us to be attentive to the Spirit’s promptings, trusting in His wisdom and courage. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Like Paul, we should be attentive to our surroundings, using the Spirit’s wisdom to share the Gospel in ways that resonate with those around us. Whether in our communities or workplaces, the Spirit equips us to be ambassadors of Christ, facing challenges with faith and perseverance. The moral reflection here is one of trust and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Just as the disciples trusted in the Spirit’s guidance after Jesus’ departure, we too must trust in the Spirit’s presence in our lives. This trust allows us to navigate life’s uncertainties with courage and hope, knowing we are never alone in our mission to live and share the Gospel.