Daily Readings - Wed Apr 28 2021
Acts
1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.4So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
John
44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that illuminate the essence of divine mission and our role within it. The first reading from Acts describes the early Church's vibrant growth, where the Holy Spirit commissions Barnabas and Saul for a special mission. This moment in Antioch, a hub of early Christianity, underscores the Church's missionary spirit, driven by fasting, prayer, and obedience to the Spirit. The Gospel from John presents Jesus, the Light of the World, emphasizing His mission from the Father to save humanity. Jesus' words remind us that rejecting Him means facing judgment, not from His condemnation, but from the truth of His message.
Both readings converge on the theme of being sent by God. In Acts, the Holy Spirit sends out missionaries, while in John, Jesus is sent by the Father. This duality highlights the Trinitarian nature of mission, where each person of the Trinity plays a role in reaching out to humanity. This mission is not limited to the apostles but extends to all believers, calling us to be ambassadors of God's love and truth in our own contexts.
As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that our daily lives are part of a larger divine mission. Whether in our communities, workplaces, or families, we are called to spread God's word through our actions and words. Like Barnabas and Saul, we must be attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, willing to step out in faith. Jesus' message of salvation urges us to embrace our role as bearers of light, dispelling darkness and bringing hope. Let us heed this call, allowing God's truth and love to shine through us, transforming the world one interaction at a time.