Daily Readings - Sat May 05 2018
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us in understanding our mission as followers of Christ. The first reading from Acts 16:1-10 describes Paul's missionary journey, highlighting his adaptability and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Paul circumcises Timothy to facilitate their mission among the Jews, demonstrating his willingness to take necessary steps for the Gospel's sake. Despite facing closed doors in certain regions, Paul remains attentive to the Spirit's guidance, leading him to Macedonia through a vision. This passage underscores the importance of discernment and flexibility in our own journeys of faith.
The Gospel from John 15:18-21 shifts our focus to Jesus' words about the world's hatred towards His disciples. Jesus clarifies that this hatred stems from our status as outsiders in the world, chosen by Him to be different. He reminds us that persecution is inevitable, just as He experienced, but assures us that those who keep His word will also keep ours. This passage invites us to embrace our identity as disciples, recognizing that our commitment to Christ may lead to challenges but also to profound witness.
These readings intertwine by emphasizing our call to follow God's will faithfully, even amidst adversity. Like Paul, we must listen to the Spirit's prompting and adapt our paths as needed. Like the disciples, we must embrace our role as outsiders in the world, enduring hardships with the assurance of Christ's presence. In our daily lives, this means remaining open to God's leading, whether through unexpected opportunities or through perseverance in difficult circumstances. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's plan, and He will guide us where we are needed most. Let us, therefore, walk in faith, ready to serve and witness, trusting that God's will prevails.