Daily Readings - Wed May 01 2019
Acts
17Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.21And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,23Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.25Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
John
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that illuminate the essence of faith and courage. The first reading from Acts recounts the Apostles' unwavering commitment to their mission despite imprisonment. Freed by an angel, they continue teaching in the temple, undeterred by the authorities' confusion and fear. This episode highlights the early Church's resilience against persecution, driven by their devotion to spreading God's word.
The Gospel from John presents the cornerstone of Christian belief: God's gift of His Son for the salvation of the world. John 3:16 reminds us that belief in Jesus offers eternal life, while rejection leads to condemnation. This passage contrasts light and darkness, emphasizing that those who do good seek the light, while evildoers shun it.
These readings intertwine the themes of perseverance and divine love. The Apostles' courage in Acts is fueled by the message of salvation in John. Their steadfastness in the face of adversity exemplifies living out one's faith fearlessly. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this courage, standing firm in our beliefs even when faced with challenges. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan and embrace the light of truth, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions. Let us strive to spread God's word with the same determination as the Apostles, knowing that our faith is a beacon of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness.