Daily Readings - Sat May 17 2025
Acts
44And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.47For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.48And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.49And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.50But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
John
7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.8Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments in the spread of God's message. The First Reading from Acts 13:44-52 describes Paul and Barnabas's missionary journey, where they face rejection from the Jews but find eager acceptance among the Gentiles. This passage highlights the early Church's expansion beyond its initial boundaries, emphasizing God's plan to include all people. The Gentiles' joy and the disciples' empowerment by the Holy Spirit underscore the universal nature of the Gospel message.
The Gospel from John 14:7-14 shifts focus to Jesus's conversation with Philip, where He reveals His unity with the Father. Jesus emphasizes that seeing Him is seeing the Father, and He promises that believers will perform even greater works through faith. This passage invites us to deepen our relationship with God, trusting in His presence and power within us.
These readings connect through the theme of inclusion and empowerment. In Acts, the inclusion of Gentiles mirrors the spiritual inclusion offered through faith in John. Both passages encourage us to trust in God's plan and recognize His presence in our lives, just as Philip sought to see the Father.
In our daily lives, this means embracing opportunities to share God's love and remaining steadfast despite challenges. We are empowered to do greater things through faith, just as the early disciples were. The moral lesson here is the importance of perseverance, unity with God, and trusting in His power to guide and transform us.