Daily Readings - Tue May 08 2018
Acts
22And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.26And 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.27And 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.28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
John
5But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?6But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.7Nevertheless 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.8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:9Of sin, because they believe not on me;10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives of faith, conversion, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The first reading from Acts recounts the story of Paul and Silas, who, despite being beaten and imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, remain steadfast in their faith. Their prayers and hymns of praise during the night attract the attention of their fellow prisoners, and a miraculous earthquake sets them free. The jailer, moved by their courage and the miracle he witnesses, seeks salvation and is baptized along with his family. This story highlights the resilience of faith in the face of adversity and the unexpected ways God can bring light into darkness.
The Gospel reading from John complements this narrative by focusing on the role of the Holy Spirit. Jesus explains to his disciples that his departure is necessary for the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to come. The Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, guiding believers in truth and comforting them in times of sorrow. Together, these readings remind us that the Holy Spirit is both a source of strength in persecution and a gentle guide in our daily lives. Just as the Spirit moved through Paul and Silas in prison, and just as the Spirit brought the jailer to faith, the Spirit continues to work in us today, empowering us to live as witnesses of God’s love.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to challenges in our own lives? Do we, like Paul and Silas, turn to prayer and praise even in difficult circumstances? And are we open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, allowing Him to transform our hearts and minds? The moral lesson here is clear: Trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear, and remain open to the Spirit’s work in your life. Like the jailer, we may find ourselves in darkness, but through faith and the Spirit’s grace, we can be brought into the light of salvation. Let us embrace this truth and live as people of hope and courage, trusting that the Holy Spirit will always be our Advocate and guide.