Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 16, 2018
First Reading: Acts 20.28-38
28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.33I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,38Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Psalm 68
1Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.3But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.6God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.7O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:8The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.9Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.10Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.11The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.12Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.13Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.14When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.15The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.16Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.19Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.20He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.21But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:23That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.24They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.25The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.27There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.28Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.29Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.30Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.32Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:33To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.34Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
Gospel: John 17.11b-19
11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.12While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.13And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.14I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.19And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts and the Gospel from John both speak to the themes of protection, guidance, and the mission of believers in the world. In Acts, Paul bids farewell to the elders of Ephesus, urging them to care for the flock entrusted to them and to remain vigilant against false teachers. He reminds them that the Church is God’s own possession, purchased at a great price, and that their role is to serve and support one another. Paul’s words are both a warning and an encouragement, emphasizing the importance of living out the faith with integrity and generosity. In the Gospel, Jesus prays for his disciples, asking the Father to protect and sanctify them. He acknowledges that while they are in the world, they are not of the world, and he commissions them to continue his mission. Jesus’ prayer is a profound expression of his love and concern for those who follow him, ensuring that they are equipped to live as his witnesses in a world that often opposes them.
Both readings highlight the tension between being in the world and being set apart for God’s purposes. Paul’s farewell speech and Jesus’ prayer remind us that believers are called to live with a sense of responsibility and purpose. We are not here to pursue our own interests or to blend in with the world, but to serve others and to bear witness to God’s truth. This requires us to be vigilant, to trust in God’s providence, and to remain faithful even in the face of challenges. The readings also emphasize the importance of community and mutual support. Just as Paul exhorts the elders to care for one another, and just as Jesus prays for the unity and sanctification of his disciples, we too are called to live in harmony and to uphold one another in our shared mission.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I fulfilling my role in the Body of Christ? Am I living as a light in the world, or am I allowing the world to shape me instead? Let us strive to remain faithful to God’s word, to serve others with generosity and love, and to trust in his protection and guidance. May we, like Paul and the disciples, embrace our calling with courage and humility, knowing that we are not alone but are part of a greater community sanctified and sent into the world for the sake of God’s kingdom.