Daily Readings - Thu May 26 2022
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 moments of transition and transformation, both in the life of Paul and in the words of Jesus. In Acts, Paul finds himself in Corinth, where he continues his missionary work despite facing rejection from the Jews. He works as a tentmaker, preaches in the synagogue, and eventually turns to the Gentiles, leading many to faith. This shift marks a significant moment in the spread of Christianity, as the Gospel begins to reach beyond the Jewish community. In John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about His impending departure, using the metaphor of a little while to describe the time until they will see Him again. He reassures them that their sorrow will turn into joy, much like a woman in childbirth who forgets her pain once she holds her child.
These readings are deeply connected, as both Paul and Jesus deal with transitions that bring both challenge and hope. Paul’s move to the Gentiles represents a broader inclusion of all people in God’s plan, while Jesus prepares His disciples for the transition of His physical absence and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Both stories remind us that change, though often difficult, is a part of growth and transformation. Just as Paul trusted in God’s plan to reach new people, and just as the disciples would come to understand Jesus’ words after the Resurrection, we too can trust that our struggles and uncertainties are part of a larger purpose.
In our daily lives, we often face moments of transition—times when we must let go of the familiar and step into the unknown. These readings encourage us to embrace such moments with faith and perseverance. Like Paul, we may encounter resistance or setbacks, but we can trust that God is opening new doors. Like the disciples, we may experience sorrow or confusion, but we can hold onto the promise that our sorrow will be turned into joy. Let us remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow closer to God and to share His love with others. May we, like Paul, be bold in our witness, and may we, like the disciples, trust in the transformative power of God’s plan.