Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 20, 2019
First Reading: Acts 14.5-18
5And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:7And there they preached the gospel.8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,10Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.11And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.12And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,15And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.17Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
Psalm 115
1Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.2Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?3But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.5They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:6They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:7They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.8They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.9O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.10O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.11Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.12The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.13He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.14The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.15Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.16The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.17The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.18But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: John 14.21-26
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, humility, and the living relationship we have with God. In the first reading from Acts, Paul and Barnabas face both persecution and mistaken adoration. They flee from those who seek to harm them but continue to preach the Gospel. When they heal a lame man in Lystra, the crowd mistakenly worships them as gods. Paul and Barnabas quickly correct this misunderstanding, emphasizing that they are mere mortals and pointing the people to the one true God who creates and sustains all things. This passage reminds us that our faith is not about seeking glory for ourselves but about directing others to God.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the intimate relationship between love, obedience, and the presence of God. He explains that those who love Him will keep His commandments, and in return, the Father and the Son will dwell with them. Jesus also addresses Judas’ question about why He manifests Himself to believers but not to the world. He emphasizes that love and obedience are the keys to understanding His presence, and He promises the Holy Spirit as a guide and comforter. This passage invites us to reflect on how our love for God is expressed through our actions and our willingness to follow His will.
Together, these readings challenge us to live with humility and trust in God’s providence. Like Paul and Barnabas, we may face challenges or misunderstandings, but our focus should always be on pointing others to God. Like the disciples, we are called to love God through obedience and to remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In our daily lives, let us strive to be humble servants of God, recognizing that all good comes from Him. Let us also nurture our relationship with God through prayer and fidelity to His commandments, trusting that He will always be with us, even when the world does not understand.