Daily Readings - Thu May 10 2018
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of transition, trust, and the transformative power of faith. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul in Corinth, where he works as a tentmaker and preaches the Gospel. Despite facing resistance and eventual rejection by the synagogue leaders, Paul remains steadfast in his mission, turning to the Gentiles with courage and determination. This passage highlights Paul’s resilience and his unwavering commitment to spreading the Word of God, even in the face of adversity. His actions remind us that our faith must be lived out boldly, trusting in God’s plan even when the path ahead is uncertain.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples about his impending departure, using the phrase “a little while” to describe the time before they will see him again. The disciples are confused and saddened by these words, unable to grasp the deeper meaning. Jesus reassures them, however, that their sorrow will turn to joy. This passage invites us to trust in the promise of eternal life and the ultimate triumph of God’s plan. Just as the disciples would come to understand the meaning of Jesus’ words after his resurrection, we too are called to trust in God’s timing and to find hope in the midst of uncertainty.
These readings challenge us to embrace the transitions and challenges of our own lives with faith and perseverance. Like Paul, we may face setbacks or misunderstandings, but we must remain steadfast in our commitment to living out the Gospel. Like the disciples, we may experience sorrow or confusion, but we are promised that our struggles will ultimately give way to joy. Let us trust in God’s plan, even when the road ahead seems unclear, and let us find strength in the knowledge that our sorrow will be transformed into joy through our relationship with Christ.