Daily Readings - Wed Apr 10 2024

Acts

17Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.21And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.22But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,23Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.24Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.25Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

John

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Sermon

The readings today remind us of the power of faith and the call to live as children of light in a world often shrouded in darkness. In the first reading from Acts, we see the Apostles facing persecution and imprisonment for their bold proclamation of the Gospel. Yet, even in the face of such opposition, they remain steadfast in their mission. An angel of the Lord frees them from prison, and instead of fleeing, they return to the temple to continue teaching the people. This act of obedience and courage shows us that true faith is not about escaping challenges but about trusting in God’s plan and remaining faithful even when the path is difficult. In the Gospel, John reminds us of the profound love of God, who sent His only Son into the world not to condemn it but to save it. This passage is a beautiful expression of the heart of the Christian faith: God’s love for the world is so great that He gave us the gift of His Son, Jesus, to bring us eternal life. Yet, John also warns us that this gift comes with a choice. Those who reject the light of Christ choose to remain in darkness, and their refusal to believe is itself a form of judgment. The light of Christ reveals the truth of our actions and the state of our hearts. These readings call us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Like the Apostles, we are called to be bold in sharing the Gospel, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging. Like the people in John’s Gospel, we are invited to choose the light of Christ over the darkness of sin and indifference. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s providence, even when the road ahead seems uncertain? Do we allow the light of Christ to shine in our lives, guiding our actions and decisions? May we, like the Apostles, be courageous in living out our faith, and may we, like those who accept the light of Christ, walk in truth and love.