Daily Readings - Sun May 14 2023
Acts
5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.6And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.7For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.8And there was great joy in that city.14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:16For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
1 Peter
15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
John
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.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.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of faith, the Holy Spirit, and living out our beliefs with integrity. The first reading from Acts describes Philip’s missionary work in Samaria, where he preaches and performs miracles, leading many to faith. The Apostles then send Peter and John to confer the Holy Spirit upon the new believers through the laying on of hands. This passage highlights the early Church’s structure and the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers.
The second reading from 1 Peter emphasizes the importance of sanctifying Christ in our hearts and being prepared to share our faith with others. Peter encourages believers to live with meekness and a clear conscience, even in the face of suffering, for it is better to suffer for doing good than for evil. This letter, written to early Christians facing persecution, reminds us that our actions and attitudes should reflect our faith in Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the promise of the Holy Spirit, who will abide with them forever. He connects obedience to His commandments with the expression of love for Him. Jesus assures them of His continued presence through the Spirit and promises that those who love Him will be loved by the Father. This passage from John’s farewell discourse underscores the unity between Jesus, the Father, and believers, sustained by the Holy Spirit.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of the Holy Spirit and the call to live out our faith authentically. In Acts, the Spirit is the gift that completes the initiation of the Samaritan believers. In 1 Peter, the Spirit empowers believers to endure suffering with integrity. In John’s Gospel, the Spirit is the ongoing presence of Jesus in the lives of His disciples. Together, they remind us that the Holy Spirit is both a gift and a guide, enabling us to live as witnesses to Christ’s love.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us remember that the Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Strength. Like Philip, we are called to share the Good News with others, trusting in the Spirit’s power to transform hearts. Like the early Christians, we are to live with integrity, ready to give an account of our hope in Christ. And like Jesus’ disciples, we are to keep His commandments, knowing that love and obedience are intertwined.
May we embrace the moral lesson of these readings: that our faith is not just a set of beliefs, but a way of life. May we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us, to give us courage in the face of challenges, and to empower us to love as Christ has loved us. Let us strive to live in such a way that our actions and attitudes reflect the presence of Christ within us, and may we always remember that we are never alone, for the Spirit of Truth abides with us.