Daily Readings - Thu May 13 2021
Acts
1After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;2And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.7And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.8And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
John
16A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.17Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?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.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on perseverance, trust, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Acts 18:1-8 recounts Paul's journey to Corinth, where he faces rejection but continues his missionary work, leading to the conversion of many. The Gospel, John 16:16-20, presents Jesus comforting His disciples with the promise that their sorrow will turn to joy, despite the temporary nature of their suffering.
Both readings are set against the backdrop of challenge and change. Paul, in Corinth, exemplifies perseverance despite opposition, while Jesus prepares His disciples for the trials ahead, assuring them of ultimate joy. These contexts highlight the universal theme of enduring difficulty with faith, knowing that God's plan often unfolds beyond our immediate understanding.
In our daily lives, we often face setbacks and uncertainties. These readings encourage us to embrace perseverance and trust in God's plan. Just as Paul found success among the Gentiles after facing rejection, and just as the disciples found joy after sorrow, we too can transform our struggles into opportunities for growth. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith assures us that sorrow is temporary, and through enduring hardship with trust, we can find profound joy. Let us carry this hope in our hearts, knowing that God weaves our challenges into a tapestry of greater good.