Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 8, 2023
First Reading: Acts 14.5-18
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.
Psalm 115
1Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.2Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?3But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.4Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.5They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:6They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:7They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.8They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.9O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.10O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.11Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.12The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.13He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great.14The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.15Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.16The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.17The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.18But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: John 14.21-26
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
In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons about faith, divine presence, and the essence of discipleship. The first reading from Acts 14:5-18 recounts Paul and Barnabas's missionary journey, where they face persecution but also perform a miraculous healing. A lame man, hearing Paul, is healed through his faith, leading the crowd to mistakenly worship them as gods. Paul and Barnabas humbly correct them, emphasizing their mortality and the one true God. This episode highlights the challenges of spreading the Gospel and the importance of humility in the face of divine power.
In the Gospel, John 14:21-26, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the criteria for loving Him—keeping His commandments. He promises that the Father and He will dwell with those who love Him, and the Holy Spirit will guide them. This passage underscores the internal presence of God in believers, achieved through love and obedience. It contrasts with the external, mistaken worship in Acts, showing that true divine presence is experienced internally through faith and adherence to God's will.
These readings remind us to trust in God's presence and provision, even amidst challenges. Like Paul and Barnabas, we must remain humble and faithful, recognizing God's work in our lives. Jesus' words call us to a deep, loving relationship with Him, expressed through obedience. As we navigate life's trials, may we trust in God's presence, stay humble, and keep His commandments, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us. This faith and love will manifest God's presence in our hearts and lives.