Daily Readings - Mon May 16 2022
Acts
5And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:7And there they preached the gospel.8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,10Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.11And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.12And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,15And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.17Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
John
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, humility, and the transformative power of God’s love. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul and Barnabas facing persecution and fleeing to Lystra, where they encounter a lame man who is healed through Paul’s faith. The crowd, in awe of the miracle, mistakenly worships them as gods. Yet, Paul and Barnabas quickly correct them, insisting that they are mere mortals and pointing the people to the one true God. This passage highlights the missionaries’ humility and their unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of misunderstanding and danger.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the relationship between love, obedience, and the presence of God. He explains that those who love him will keep his commandments, and in turn, the Father will love them. Jesus also promises that he and the Father will dwell with those who keep his word. This teaching emphasizes that love for God is not just a feeling but is expressed through actions—specifically, through obedience to his teachings. Jesus also hints at the role of the Holy Spirit, who will guide and remind the disciples of all that Jesus has taught them.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not about seeking glory for ourselves but about humbly pointing others to God. Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to live with humility and integrity, recognizing that any good we do is a gift from God. At the same time, Jesus’ words in the Gospel challenge us to examine how we express our love for him through our actions. Do we keep his commandments? Do we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in living out our faith? Let us strive to live in such a way that our lives reflect God’s love and truth, and may we always remember that our ultimate dwelling place is with him.