Daily Readings - Sun May 08 2022
Acts
14But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.43Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.44And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.47For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.49And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.50But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Revelation
9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
John
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.30I and my Father are one.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the universal call to salvation and the unity of God's people. In the First Reading from Acts, we see Paul and Barnabas facing rejection by the Jews in Antioch, only to turn their attention to the Gentiles, who receive the Word of God with joy. This moment marks a significant shift in the early Christian Church, as the Gospel begins to spread beyond its Jewish roots. The Second Reading from Revelation offers a breathtaking vision of the end times, where people from every nation, tribe, and language stand before the throne of God, united in their worship and redemption through the blood of the Lamb. The Gospel from John complements these themes, as Jesus speaks of His sheep hearing His voice and receiving eternal life, emphasizing the intimate relationship between the Shepherd and His flock.
These readings are deeply interconnected. The missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas in Acts foreshadows the universal vision of Revelation, where all people are gathered before God's throne. Jesus' promise of eternal life in John's Gospel underscores the ultimate purpose of this universal salvation. Together, they remind us that God's plan is not limited to a particular group but extends to all creation. The rejection by the Jews in Acts serves as a turning point, highlighting that the Gospel is for everyone, regardless of background or identity.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace the diversity of God's people and to trust in His providence. Just as Paul and Barnabas persevered despite persecution, we too are called to remain faithful, even in the face of challenges. The vision in Revelation encourages us to live with hope, knowing that our ultimate destiny is to be united with all the saints in worship before God's throne. Jesus' promise of eternal life reminds us to listen to His voice and to follow Him with confidence. Let us strive to be instruments of unity and inclusion, reflecting the universal love of God in our words and actions.