Daily Readings - Tue May 01 2018

¹⁹Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.²⁰But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.²¹They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,²²strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.²³Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.²⁴After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,²⁵and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.²⁶From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.²⁷On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.²⁸And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

John

Chapter 14

²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.²⁸"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.²⁹I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.³⁰I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,³¹but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.

Sermon

In today's readings, we are reminded of the power of trust and perseverance in the face of adversity. The first reading from Acts recounts Paul's resilience after being stoned, his continued missionary work, and the establishment of churches, highlighting the importance of community and leadership. The Gospel from John captures Jesus' assurance of peace and trust in God's plan, even as challenges loom. Both readings emphasize trust in God amidst trials. Paul's perseverance despite persecution illustrates unwavering faith, while Jesus' words offer comfort, urging us not to be troubled but to trust in His peace. This trust is rooted in obedience to God's will, as Jesus demonstrates by following the Father's commandment. In our daily lives, we face various struggles, but these readings encourage us to find peace in God. Like Paul, we can trust in God's plan and continue our journey with perseverance. Building strong faith communities, as Paul did, supports us in maintaining our faith. Jesus' peace, different from the world's, offers us calm amidst storms, reminding us to trust in God's providence. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's providence and find peace in Him, even in adversity. By building supportive communities and trusting in God's will, we navigate life's challenges with faith and resilience. Let us embrace this trust, finding strength in our communities and peace in God's presence.