Daily Readings - Sun May 21 2023
Acts
1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Ephesians
17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Matthew
16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter pivotal moments in the narrative of our faith, each offering profound insights into the mission and authority of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Acts describes the Ascension, where Jesus instructs His disciples to await the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem before He ascends into heaven, leaving them with the promise of empowerment for their future mission. The second reading from Ephesians is a prayer by Paul, seeking wisdom and revelation for the believers, emphasizing God’s power and Christ’s supremacy over all creation. The Gospel from Matthew presents the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to baptize and teach all nations, assuring them of His perpetual presence.
These passages are deeply interconnected, each highlighting different facets of Jesus’s authority and the disciples’ role in His mission. Acts and Matthew focus on the post-resurrection commands, preparing the disciples for their evangelical mission, while Ephesians underscores the spiritual power and authority bestowed upon believers through Christ. Together, they illustrate the transition from Jesus’s physical presence to the spiritual empowerment of His followers, equipping them to spread His message universally.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to trust in God’s timing and power. Like the disciples, we are called to wait patiently for His guidance and to embrace the mission He has entrusted to us. The Great Commission urges us to share our faith actively, while Ephesians encourages us to live with the confidence of Christ’s authority over all things. The moral lesson here is one of faith, trust, and obedience, recognizing God’s sovereignty and our role as His ambassadors in the world. May we, like the early disciples, be empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill our calling with courage and love.