Daily Readings - Sat May 20 2017
Acts
1He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek.2The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.3Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.4As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.6Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.7When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."10After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
John
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the journey of faith and the challenges that come with following God’s will. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul and his companions traveling through various regions, spreading the Gospel. They face obstacles, such as being prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching in certain areas, but they remain faithful and attentive to God’s guidance. The vision of the man from Macedonia calling for help leads them to a new mission field, showing us that God often redirects our paths for greater purposes. This passage reminds us that our plans are not always God’s plans, and true discipleship requires flexibility and trust in divine providence.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the reality of persecution and hatred from the world. He reminds them that they are not of the world, and because of this, the world will hate them. This hatred, however, is not without purpose. Jesus assures them that if they keep His word, they will be strengthened to endure. This teaching applies to us today, as we often face challenges for living according to God’s truth. Jesus is not promising us an easy life but a life of fidelity and courage, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles.
These readings are deeply connected. Paul’s missionary journey in Acts shows us what it looks like to live out Jesus’ words in the Gospel. Despite facing opposition and uncertainty, Paul and his companions remain faithful, trusting that God is guiding them. For us, this means that when we face difficulties or feel hated for our beliefs, we can draw strength from the same Spirit that guided Paul. Our faith is not a shield from suffering but a source of hope and perseverance. Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan, even when the path is unclear, and to remain steadfast in our commitment to Him, no matter the cost.