Daily Readings - Sun May 21 2017
1 Peter
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
John
15"If you love me, you will obey what I command.16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we reflect on the essence of our faith and the promise of divine presence in our lives. The first reading from 1 Peter encourages us to sanctify Christ in our hearts, always ready to share the hope that defines us. It reminds us that suffering for righteousness is better than for wrongdoing, as Christ’s sacrifice for our sins exemplifies. The Gospel from John 14, part of Jesus’ farewell discourse, emphasizes love through obedience to His commandments. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who will guide and comfort us, ensuring we are not alone. He assures us of eternal life and unity with the Father, seen through our love and obedience.
These readings connect through themes of hope, love, and divine presence. 1 Peter contextualizes the hope we have in Christ amidst trials, while John 14 provides comfort through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Together, they remind us that our faith is not just belief but a way of life marked by love and obedience. The Holy Spirit’s presence is our strength, enabling us to live out our faith courageously.
In our daily lives, let us embrace this hope and love. May we be ready to share our faith with others and find comfort in the Holy Spirit’s presence, especially in challenging times. Let us strive to live in unity with God, reflecting His love and truth in all we do. Through this, we embody the hope and love that define our Christian identity, inspired by the promise of eternal life and the Spirit’s guidance.