Daily Readings - Fri Jun 02 2017
Acts
27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
13A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.14Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. He said: "There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.15When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.16"I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over any man before he has faced his accusers and has had an opportunity to defend himself against their charges.17When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.18When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.19Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.20I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.21When Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar."
John
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."18Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, perseverance, and service. The first reading from Acts depicts Paul as a prisoner, caught in a web of political and legal complexities. Despite his confinement, Paul remains steadfast in his faith, embodying the resilience of the early Christian church. His situation highlights the challenges faced by the early Christians as they navigated a world often hostile to their beliefs. Paul's unwavering commitment to his faith, even in the face of uncertainty, serves as a testament to the power of conviction and trust in God's plan.
The Gospel reading from John offers a poignant moment of restoration and commission. Jesus appears to Peter after His resurrection, engaging him in a threefold inquiry about his love. Each affirmation by Peter is met with a charge to "feed my lambs" or "feed my sheep," underscoring the connection between love and service. This interaction not only restores Peter, who had previously denied Jesus, but also commissions him to a life of caring for others. Jesus' words to Peter about his future, leading to a sacrificial death, emphasize that true discipleship involves following Him even when the path is difficult.
These readings converge on the theme of faith leading to action. Paul's perseverance in the face of adversity and Peter's commission to serve illustrate that our faith is not passive but active. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this faith through love and service. Just as Peter was called to care for others, we too are invited to express our love for God by serving those around us. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith should inspire us to act with compassion and dedication, trusting that God guides us through all circumstances. Let us embrace this call to faith and service, following Jesus' example, even when the journey is challenging.