Daily Readings - Thu Jun 01 2017
First Reading - Acts 22.30; 23.6-11
Acts
30On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.7And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.9And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.10And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.11And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Gospel - John 17.20-26
John
20Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.25O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.26And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments that invite us to reflect on unity and faith. The first reading from Acts describes Paul's trial, where he cleverly exploits the theological differences between Pharisees and Sadducees, leading to a division that forces the Roman authorities to intervene. This scene highlights Paul's cunning and the tensions within the Jewish leadership, showcasing the challenges of maintaining unity amidst differing beliefs.
The Gospel reading from John presents a stark contrast, as Jesus prays for the unity of all believers. He desires that His followers be one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world may recognize God's love. This prayer emphasizes the divine gift of unity, which transcends human divisions and reflects the boundless love of God.
These readings remind us that while divisions are inevitable in our communities, our faith calls us to strive for unity. Just as Paul navigated the complexities of his time, we too must navigate our own challenges with wisdom and grace. Jesus' prayer teaches us that true unity is not about uniformity but about our shared identity in God. Let us embrace this divine gift, allowing it to transform our relationships and reflect God's love in our world.