Daily Readings - Sun May 17 2020

⁵Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.⁶And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.⁷For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.⁸And there was great joy in that city.¹⁴Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:¹⁵Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:¹⁶For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)¹⁷Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

1 Peter

Chapter 3

¹⁵But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:¹⁶Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.¹⁷For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.¹⁸For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

John

Chapter 14

¹⁵If ye love me, keep my commandments.¹⁶And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;¹⁷Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.¹⁸I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.¹⁹Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.²⁰At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.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.

Sermon

The readings today remind us of the profound connection between faith, love, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In the first reading from Acts, we see Philip preaching in Samaria, where many believe in Christ and receive healing. When the Apostles in Jerusalem hear of this, they send Peter and John to pray over the new believers, laying hands on them so they might receive the Holy Spirit. This passage highlights the unity of the early Church and the essential role of the Spirit in confirming faith and empowering believers. The second reading from 1 Peter complements this by emphasizing the importance of living a life of virtue and being ready to explain the hope that is in us. Peter encourages us to suffer patiently for doing good, knowing that Christ, the Just One, suffered for our sins to reconcile us to God. This reminds us that our faith is not just a private matter but a way of life that should inspire others and bring them to Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus promises his disciples that he will send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will remain with them forever. He ties this promise to their love for him, saying, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Jesus makes it clear that love is not just a feeling but a commitment to living according to his will. He also assures them that he will manifest himself to those who keep his commandments, promising a deep, abiding union with him and the Father. These readings invite us to reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the importance of living out our faith with love and integrity. Just as the early Church relied on the Spirit to guide and empower them, we too must open ourselves to the Spirit’s presence, allowing him to transform us and inspire us to live as witnesses of Christ’s love. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects the hope and joy of the Gospel? Are we open to the Spirit’s guidance in our daily lives? May we, like Philip and the early believers, allow the Spirit to work through us, bringing light and life to a world in need.