Daily Readings - Tue May 23 2023
Acts
17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
John
1These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:2As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.3And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.4I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.6I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.7Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.8For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.9I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.10And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound reflections on mission, unity, and the ultimate purpose of our lives as followers of Christ. The first reading from Acts 20:17-27 presents St. Paul’s heartfelt farewell to the elders of Ephesus. Paul, aware of the trials and sufferings that await him in Jerusalem, humbly reflects on his ministry. He reminds the elders of his unwavering dedication to preaching the Gospel, despite the challenges he faced. Paul’s words are a testament to his selflessness and trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. He emphasizes that his life’s work is to complete the mission entrusted to him by the Lord, to testify to the Gospel of God’s grace.
The Gospel reading from John 17:1-11a shifts our focus to Jesus’ prayer to the Father before His Passion. Jesus speaks of glorifying the Father and being glorified in return, not for His own sake but so that He might give eternal life to all those the Father has given Him. Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the one true God and Himself, whom the Father has sent. He prays for His disciples, asking that they may be one, just as He and the Father are one. This prayer is a beautiful expression of the unity and love that exist within the Trinity and are extended to us through Christ.
Both readings remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger plan. Like Paul, we are called to be faithful stewards of the Gospel, trusting in God’s providence even when the road ahead is difficult. Like Jesus, we are called to live in unity and love, reflecting the oneness of the Father and the Son. In our daily lives, this means prioritizing our relationship with God, embracing our mission to share His love with others, and striving to overcome divisions so that we may truly be one in Christ. May we, like Paul, be willing to surrender our lives for the sake of the Gospel, and may we, like Jesus, pray for and work toward the unity of all God’s people.