Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 15, 2022
First Reading: Acts 14.21b-27
21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,22Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.24And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.25And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:26And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Psalm 145
1I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.2Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.5I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.6And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.7They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.8The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.9The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.10All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.11They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;12To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.13Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.14The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.15The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.16Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.18The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.19He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.20The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.21My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Second Reading: Revelation 21.1-5a
1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Gospel: John 13.1, 31-33a, 34-35
1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.31Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.32If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of perseverance, hope, and love. The first reading from Acts reminds us that the early Christian communities, though facing many trials, were strengthened in their faith by Paul and Barnabas. They were exhorted to remain steadfast, for it is through tribulations that we enter the kingdom of God. This passage reflects the resilience of the early church and the importance of community in sustaining faith. The second reading from Revelation offers a vision of hope—a new heaven and a new earth where God dwells with his people, wiping away every tear and ending death and mourning. This passage invites us to look beyond our current struggles and trust in God’s promise of eternal life. The Gospel from John captures a pivotal moment when Jesus, on the eve of his Passion, gives his disciples a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved them. This love is not only a moral imperative but the very hallmark of discipleship.
These readings are deeply interconnected. The trials described in Acts and the hope of Revelation both point to the transformative power of love that Jesus speaks of in the Gospel. The early Christians endured hardships because they were united in their faith and in their love for one another. Similarly, Revelation’s vision of the new Jerusalem is a place where God’s people live in perfect unity and love. Jesus’ commandment to love one another is not merely a suggestion but a way of life that reflects the very nature of God. By loving one another, we become witnesses to the power of God’s love in a world often marked by division and suffering.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. Each of us faces trials, whether personal struggles, relational challenges, or broader societal issues. Yet, like the early Christians, we are called to perseverance and hope. We are also called to love—authentic, selfless love that seeks the good of others. This love is not always easy, but it is transformative. It changes us and those around us, drawing us closer to God and to one another. Let us ask ourselves: How can I embody this love in my relationships, in my workplace, in my community? How can I, like the early church, strengthen others in their faith and hope? May we find the courage to love as Christ has loved us, trusting that through tribulations, we will enter into the fullness of God’s kingdom.