Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 11, 2017
First Reading: Acts 13.13-25
13From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.14From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.15After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."16Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!17The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country,18he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert,19he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance.20All this took about 450 years.21"After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.22After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'23"From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.24Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.25As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.'
Psalm 89
1I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.2I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.3You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant,4'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.'" Selah5The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.6For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?7In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.8O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.9You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.10You crushed Rahab like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.11The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.12You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.13Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.15Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.16They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.17For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn.18Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.19Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: "I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have exalted a young man from among the people.20I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him.21My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him.22No enemy will subject him to tribute; no wicked man will oppress him.23I will crush his foes before him and strike down his adversaries.24My faithful love will be with him, and through my name his horn will be exalted.25I will set his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers.26He will call out to me, 'You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.'27I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.28I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail.29I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.30"If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes,31if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands,32I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging;33but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.34I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.35Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness- and I will not lie to David-36that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun;37it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." Selah38But you have rejected, you have spurned, you have been very angry with your anointed one.39You have renounced the covenant with your servant and have defiled his crown in the dust.40You have broken through all his walls and reduced his strongholds to ruins.41All who pass by have plundered him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors.42You have exalted the right hand of his foes; you have made all his enemies rejoice.43You have turned back the edge of his sword and have not supported him in battle.44You have put an end to his splendor and cast his throne to the ground.45You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with a mantle of shame. Selah46How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire?47Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all men!48What man can live and not see death, or save himself from the power of the grave? Selah49O Lord, where is your former great love, which in your faithfulness you swore to David?50Remember, Lord, how your servant has been mocked, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,51the taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD, with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.52Praise be to the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.
Gospel: John 13.16-20
16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.18"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'19"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.20I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to humility, service, and trust in God’s plan. In the first reading from Acts, Paul preaches in the synagogue at Antioch, recounting the history of Israel and highlighting God’s faithfulness. He explains how God chose the Israelites, led them through the wilderness, and ultimately sent Jesus as the Savior. Paul’s words remind us that our faith is rooted in a long history of God’s love and providence. In the Gospel, Jesus humbles himself as a servant, washing the feet of his disciples, and teaches that true greatness comes from serving others. He also warns of betrayal, reminding us that even in the face of rejection, we must remain faithful to our mission.
Both readings emphasize the importance of humility and trust in God’s plan. Paul’s sermon in Acts shows how God’s plan unfolds over time, and how we are part of a larger story. Jesus, in the Gospel, models humility by serving his disciples, showing us that leadership is not about power but about love and sacrifice. These readings are connected by the theme of service and trust. Just as Paul trusted in God’s plan to preach the Gospel, Jesus trusted in his Father’s will, even when it led to suffering.
In our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility and service. Like Paul, we must trust in God’s plan, even when the path is uncertain. Like Jesus, we must be willing to serve others, even when it requires sacrifice. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living a life of humility and service? Am I trusting in God’s plan, even when it challenges me? May these readings inspire us to follow Jesus’ example, to serve others with love, and to trust in God’s providence.