Daily Readings - Mon May 15 2023
Acts
11Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;12And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.15And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
John
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.4But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments of faith and revelation. The first reading from Acts tells the story of Lydia, a merchant of purple cloth, who opens her heart to the message of Paul and becomes one of the first converts in Philippi. Her responsiveness to the Word and her generosity in welcoming Paul and his companions into her home exemplify the fruits of openness to the Holy Spirit. The Gospel from John, on the other hand, shifts our focus to Jesus’ promise of the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, who will guide and strengthen the disciples in the face of persecution. Jesus warns them that following Him will lead to challenges, but He assures them that the Spirit will remain with them to offer testimony and truth.
These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Acts, the Spirit opens Lydia’s heart to receive the Gospel, while in John, Jesus promises the Spirit as a source of strength and guidance for those who will face opposition. Both passages remind us that our faith is not a solitary journey but one that is accompanied by the divine presence of the Spirit. Just as Lydia was receptive to the Word, we are called to remain open to the Spirit’s prompting in our lives, even when it leads us into uncertain or challenging situations.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we as open to the Spirit as Lydia was? Do we trust in the Spirit’s guidance, especially when we face trials or misunderstandings? In a world that often pressures us to conform to its values, we are reminded that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ. Like the early disciples, we are called to bear witness to the truth, even when it is difficult. May we, like Lydia, welcome the Spirit into our homes and hearts, and may we, like the disciples, find courage in the Spirit’s presence to live out our faith with integrity and love.