Daily Readings - Sat May 08 2021
Acts
1Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:2Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.3Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.4And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.5And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.6Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,7After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.8And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.10And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
John
18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through the missionary travels of Paul and the profound words of Jesus, each offering insights into faith and perseverance. The first reading from Acts 16:1-10 introduces us to Timothy, a young disciple chosen by Paul for his missionary journey. Despite the challenges, including Timothy's circumcision to appease the Jews, Paul's obedience and the Spirit's guidance are evident. This passage highlights the early church's commitment to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of adversity.
The Gospel from John 15:18-21 shifts our focus to Jesus' warning about the world's hatred towards His followers. Jesus explains that this hatred stems from the world's rejection of Him, emphasizing that His disciples are not of the world. He reminds us that just as He faced persecution, so will we, but we are not alone. Jesus' words assure us that the Father's presence and support are always with us, even in times of trial.
These readings intertwine beautifully, illustrating the dual nature of our faith: the call to mission and the promise of divine accompaniment. Paul's journey shows us the practical aspects of following God's will, while Jesus' words in John remind us of the spiritual strength needed to endure. Together, they teach us to embrace our missionary calling with courage, trusting in God's providence. As we face our own challenges, let us draw inspiration from these readings, standing firm in our faith and trusting in God's guidance.