Daily Readings - Tue May 09 2023

¹⁹And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.²⁰Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.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.²⁸And there they abode long time with the disciples.

John

Chapter 14

²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.²⁸Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.²⁹And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.³⁰Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.³¹But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Sermon

The first reading from Acts 14:19-28 describes Paul's missionary journey, where he faces intense persecution, including being stoned and left for dead. Despite this, he miraculously survives and continues his work, establishing churches and strengthening the faith of the disciples. This passage highlights Paul's unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel, even in the face of severe trials. The context is set during Paul's first missionary journey, where he and Barnabas face opposition from Jewish communities but also experience the joy of converting Gentiles to the faith. The reading emphasizes the importance of perseverance and trust in God's providence, even when faced with suffering. The Gospel reading from John 14:27-31a shifts the focus to Jesus' Farewell Discourse, where He offers words of comfort to His disciples. Jesus promises them His peace, which is different from the world's peace, and reassures them not to be troubled or afraid. He explains that His departure is necessary because the Father is greater than He, and He acts in obedience to the Father's command. This passage is set in the Upper Room during the Last Supper, where Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure and the challenges they will face. The reading underscores the theme of trust in God's plan and the gift of peace that comes from faith in Him. Both readings, though from different contexts, share a common theme: trust in God's plan and the strength to face challenges with faith. Paul's resilience in the face of persecution mirrors Jesus' obedience to the Father's will. The readings remind us that life is not without its trials, but through faith, we can find peace and perseverance. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace this same spirit of trust and courage. When we face difficulties, we can draw strength from God's promise of peace and remember that our ultimate hope is in Him. Let us strive to live out our faith with the same dedication and trust that Paul and Jesus exemplified, knowing that God's grace will sustain us through all tribulations.