Daily Readings - Thu May 25 2017
Acts
1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.2There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.5When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.6But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."7Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.8Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
John
16"In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."17Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"18They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."19Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'?20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on perseverance, trust, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Acts 18 describes Paul’s missionary journey in Corinth. Despite facing opposition and rejection, Paul remains steadfast in his mission, preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. His courage and resilience ultimately bear fruit, as many Corinthians come to believe and are baptized. This passage reminds us that even in the face of adversity, our commitment to sharing the Good News can lead to unexpected graces and conversions.
The Gospel from John 16 finds Jesus preparing His disciples for his departure. He speaks of a time when they will experience sorrow and confusion, but He assures them that their grief will be transformed into joy. Jesus’ words are both a comfort and a challenge. They remind us that our faith journey is not without its trials, but these trials are opportunities for growth and deeper union with God. Just as the disciples would come to understand the meaning of Jesus’ words after His resurrection, we too can trust that God’s plan, though mysterious at times, will ultimately bring us joy and peace.
These readings call us to embrace the ups and downs of life with faith and hope. Like Paul, we are invited to persevere in our mission to live and share the Gospel, even when it is difficult. Like the disciples, we are reminded that our sorrows are not permanent but will be transformed by God’s grace. Let us ask for the courage to face challenges with trust in God’s plan and the confidence that our struggles will yield to joy. May we, like Paul and the early Christians, remain steadfast in our faith and open to the ways God works in our lives.