Daily Readings - Fri May 27 2022

Acts

9Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:10For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.11And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.12And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,13Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.14And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:15But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.16And he drave them from the judgment seat.17Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.18And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

John

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.21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.22And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.23And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about trust, perseverance, and the promise of joy amidst suffering. The first reading from Acts 18 describes Paul’s missionary journey in Corinth, where he faced intense opposition from the Jews. Despite the challenges, the Lord assured Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid. I am with you.” This divine encouragement gave Paul the courage to stay in Corinth for over a year, spreading the Word of God. Even when the Jews brought him before the proconsul Gallio, Paul remained steadfast, and Gallio ultimately dismissed the case, recognizing it as a religious matter beyond his jurisdiction. This passage reminds us that our faith is not immune to trials, but God’s presence and providence sustain us through them. The Gospel reading from John 16 offers a complementary message of hope and transformation. Jesus tells His disciples that while they will experience sorrow and weeping, their grief will ultimately turn into joy. He uses the analogy of a woman in childbirth, who endures pain but forgets it once she holds her newborn. Similarly, the disciples would face the sorrow of Jesus’ departure, but their hearts would rejoice when they saw Him again. Jesus promises that in that day, their joy would be complete, and they would ask for anything in His name with confidence. This passage invites us to trust in the transformative power of God’s love, even when we walk through darkness. These readings remind us that our Christian journey is not one of constant ease but of faith and perseverance. Like Paul, we may face opposition and uncertainty, but God’s presence is always with us. Like the disciples, we may experience sorrow, but it is not without hope. The key is to trust in God’s plan and to remember that our struggles are temporary, while His promises are eternal. Let us embrace the challenges of our daily lives with courage, knowing that God is with us, and that He will turn our sorrows into joy.