Daily Readings - Mon May 07 2018

Acts

11Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;12And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

John

26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.4But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through two pivotal moments in the spread of Christianity. The first reading from Acts 16:11-15 recounts Paul's arrival in Philippi, where he encounters Lydia, a devout woman whose heart is opened by God to receive his message. This encounter not only marks the beginning of Christianity in Europe but also highlights the transformative power of faith. The second reading, John 15:26-16:4a, finds Jesus preparing his disciples for the challenges ahead, promising the Holy Spirit as their Advocate and warning them of the persecutions they will face. These readings intertwine the themes of evangelization and perseverance in the face of adversity. The context of Acts 16:11-15 is set during Paul's second missionary journey, where he is divinely directed to Philippi. Lydia's conversion exemplifies the Gentile mission, showing that God's plan extends beyond the Jewish community. In John's Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples in the Upper Room, comforting them with the promise of the Holy Spirit, who will guide and strengthen them. These passages remind us that the spread of the Gospel is both a divine initiative and a human response, requiring openness and courage. Applying these readings to our lives, we are called to be like Lydia—receptive to God's word and generous in sharing our faith. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered the early Christians, we too can rely on the Spirit's guidance in our own challenges. The moral lesson here is one of trust and courage: trust in God's plan and the Holy Spirit's presence, and courage to witness to Christ despite any trials. Let us embrace our role as modern-day disciples, spreading the Gospel with openness and perseverance, knowing that the Spirit is our ever-present Advocate.