Daily Readings - Fri May 22 2020
Acts
9Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:10For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.11And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.12And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,13Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.14And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:15But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.16And he drave them from the judgment seat.17Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.18And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
John
20Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.22And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.23And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us through the dynamics of faith and perseverance. The first reading from Acts 18:9-18 recounts Paul's missionary journey, where he faces opposition yet remains steadfast in his mission. A vision from the Lord emboldens him to continue preaching, despite the challenges. This passage highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of adversity. The second reading, John 16:20-23a, offers a message of hope from Jesus. He assures his disciples that their sorrow will turn to joy, much like a woman who forgets her pain after giving birth. Jesus promises that their joy will be complete and that they will find everything they need in the Father.
These readings converge on the theme of hope amidst adversity. Paul's experience in Acts illustrates the challenges of living out one's faith, while Jesus' words in John provide the reassurance needed to endure such trials. Both narratives remind us that our faith journey is not without its struggles, but it is in these moments that we discover the depth of God's presence and provision.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to trust in God's plan, even when the path seems uncertain. Just as Paul trusted the vision and continued his mission, we too can face our challenges with courage. Jesus' promise of joy turning sorrow upside down encourages us to hold onto hope, knowing that our struggles are temporary. Let us reflect on our own trials and remember that God is ever-present, transforming our sorrows into joy. The moral lesson here is one of unwavering trust and hope in God, reminding us that through faith, we can overcome any obstacle and find true joy in His presence.