Daily Readings - Sat May 24 2025
Acts
1Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:2Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.3Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.4And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.5And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.6Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,7After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.8And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.10And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
John
18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the challenges and opportunities that come with following Christ. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul and Timothy embarking on their missionary journey, guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul, though a zealous preacher, takes the practical step of circumcising Timothy to make him more acceptable to the Jewish communities they will visit. This shows us that being faithful doesn’t mean being rigid; sometimes, we need to adapt to reach others effectively. The Spirit then leads them to Macedonia, where they are called to preach the Gospel. This passage emphasizes the importance of discernment and trust in God’s plan, even when the path is unclear.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the world’s hatred for those who follow Him. He reminds them that they are not of the world, and because of this, they will face persecution. Yet, He also reassures them that they are not alone; the same Spirit that guided the apostles in Acts will guide them. Jesus’ words are a sobering reminder that living as His disciples will often mean facing opposition, but it is in these moments that our faith is tested and strengthened.
These readings call us to reflect on our own lives. Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the path is uncertain? Are we prepared to face challenges because of our commitment to Christ? The good news is that we are not left alone. Like Paul and Timothy, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, and like the disciples, we have the promise of God’s presence in the midst of persecution. Let us trust in His plan, remain steadfast in our faith, and remember that our ultimate home is not in this world but in the kingdom of God.