Daily Readings - Thu May 25 2017
First Reading - Acts 18.1-8
Acts
1After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;2And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.7And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.8And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
Gospel - John 16.16-20
John
16A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.17Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?20Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on perseverance, trust, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Acts 18 describes Paul’s missionary journey in Corinth. Despite facing opposition and rejection, Paul remains steadfast in his mission, preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. His courage and resilience ultimately bear fruit, as many Corinthians come to believe and are baptized. This passage reminds us that even in the face of adversity, our commitment to sharing the Good News can lead to unexpected graces and conversions.
The Gospel from John 16 finds Jesus preparing His disciples for his departure. He speaks of a time when they will experience sorrow and confusion, but He assures them that their grief will be transformed into joy. Jesus’ words are both a comfort and a challenge. They remind us that our faith journey is not without its trials, but these trials are opportunities for growth and deeper union with God. Just as the disciples would come to understand the meaning of Jesus’ words after His resurrection, we too can trust that God’s plan, though mysterious at times, will ultimately bring us joy and peace.
These readings call us to embrace the ups and downs of life with faith and hope. Like Paul, we are invited to persevere in our mission to live and share the Gospel, even when it is difficult. Like the disciples, we are reminded that our sorrows are not permanent but will be transformed by God’s grace. Let us ask for the courage to face challenges with trust in God’s plan and the confidence that our struggles will yield to joy. May we, like Paul and the early Christians, remain steadfast in our faith and open to the ways God works in our lives.