Daily Readings - Mon May 19 2025

⁵And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,⁶They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:⁷And there they preached the gospel.⁸And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:⁹The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,¹⁰Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.¹¹And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.¹²And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.¹³Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.¹⁴Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,¹⁵And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:¹⁶Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.¹⁷Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.¹⁸And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

John

Chapter 14

²¹He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.²²Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?²³Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.²⁴He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.²⁵These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.²⁶But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Sermon

The first reading from Acts and the Gospel of John both invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, love, and our relationship with God. In the first reading, Paul and Barnabas encounter a lame man in Lystra who is healed through Paul's faith and proclamation. The crowd, in awe of this miracle, mistakenly identifies Paul and Barnabas as gods. However, the apostles quickly correct them, insisting that they are merely human beings sent to preach the truth of the living God. This passage reminds us that true faith is not about seeking glory for ourselves but about pointing others to the one true God who creates and sustains all things. In the Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the importance of love and obedience. He says that those who love Him will keep His commandments, and in return, the Father will love them, and Jesus will manifest Himself to them. This intimate relationship with God is not reserved for the select few but is open to all who are willing to live according to His word. Jesus also speaks of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will guide us in understanding and living out God’s will. This passage invites us to reflect on the depth of God’s love for us and the transformative power of living in accordance with His teachings. Both readings remind us that our faith is not just about personal belief but about how we live out that belief in our daily lives. Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to be witnesses of God’s love and truth, even in the face of misunderstanding or rejection. Like the disciples, we are called to love God by keeping His commandments and remaining open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let us ask ourselves: Are we allowing God to manifest Himself in our lives? Are we living in a way that reflects His love and truth to the world around us? May we, like the lame man in Lystra, have the faith to stand up and walk in the ways of the Lord.