Daily Readings - Sat May 02 2020
Acts
31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.32And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.35And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.37And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.38And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.41And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.42And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
John
53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that highlight the transformative power of faith and the divine presence in our lives. The first reading from Acts recounts two miracles performed by Peter—healing the paralytic Aeneas and raising Dorcas from the dead. These miracles not only demonstrate the Holy Spirit's active role in the early Church but also show how faith can lead to extraordinary acts of healing and conversion. The second reading from John presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, where He explains the necessity of partaking in His flesh and blood for eternal life. This teaching divides the crowd, leading some disciples to leave, yet Peter's unwavering confession underscores the commitment required to follow Christ.
The context of these readings is crucial. Acts depicts the early Church's growth, with Peter as a key figure embodying the faith and power of the Holy Spirit. John's Gospel, set during Jesus' ministry, captures a moment where His teachings challenge the disciples' understanding, testing their faith. Both readings, though from different periods, share a common theme: the role of faith in action and commitment. Peter's miracles in Acts are a direct result of his faith, while in John, the disciples' faith is tested by Jesus' challenging words.
Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are reminded to trust in God's power and remain open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Just as Peter trusted God to perform miracles, we can trust Him in our own challenges. The disciples' experience in John teaches us that faith requires commitment, even when teachings are difficult. Our moral takeaway is that faith is not just belief but also surrender and trust. It is through this faith that we experience God's power and grow in our relationship with Him, standing firm even in the face of adversity.