Daily Readings - Tue May 08 2018
Acts
22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten.23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.28But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family.
John
5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief.7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives of faith, conversion, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The first reading from Acts recounts the story of Paul and Silas, who, despite being beaten and imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, remain steadfast in their faith. Their prayers and hymns of praise during the night attract the attention of their fellow prisoners, and a miraculous earthquake sets them free. The jailer, moved by their courage and the miracle he witnesses, seeks salvation and is baptized along with his family. This story highlights the resilience of faith in the face of adversity and the unexpected ways God can bring light into darkness.
The Gospel reading from John complements this narrative by focusing on the role of the Holy Spirit. Jesus explains to his disciples that his departure is necessary for the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to come. The Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, guiding believers in truth and comforting them in times of sorrow. Together, these readings remind us that the Holy Spirit is both a source of strength in persecution and a gentle guide in our daily lives. Just as the Spirit moved through Paul and Silas in prison, and just as the Spirit brought the jailer to faith, the Spirit continues to work in us today, empowering us to live as witnesses of God’s love.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to challenges in our own lives? Do we, like Paul and Silas, turn to prayer and praise even in difficult circumstances? And are we open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, allowing Him to transform our hearts and minds? The moral lesson here is clear: Trust in God’s plan, even when it seems unclear, and remain open to the Spirit’s work in your life. Like the jailer, we may find ourselves in darkness, but through faith and the Spirit’s grace, we can be brought into the light of salvation. Let us embrace this truth and live as people of hope and courage, trusting that the Holy Spirit will always be our Advocate and guide.