Daily Readings - Tue May 15 2018
Acts
17From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.18When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.22"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.25"Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again.26Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men.27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
John
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:2"Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.6"I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.8For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound expressions of devotion, commitment, and unity. The first reading from Acts 20:17-27 presents St. Paul’s farewell address to the elders of Ephesus. Paul reflects on his ministry with humility and gratitude, acknowledging the challenges he faced, including betrayals and trials. Yet, he remains steadfast in his mission, declaring that he has fulfilled his duty to preach the Gospel without holding back. He entrusts the elders with the care of the Church, reminding them that they are witnesses to his faithfulness. Paul’s words are a testament to his selfless dedication to spreading the Word of God, even in the face of impending suffering.
The Gospel reading from John 17:1-11a shifts our focus to Jesus’ prayer to the Father before His Passion. Jesus asks for glorification so that He may glorify the Father and fulfill His mission to give eternal life to all. He expresses joy in having completed the work entrusted to Him and prays for His disciples, asking that they may be one, just as He and the Father are one. This prayer is a beautiful expression of Jesus’ desire for unity among His followers and His trust in the Father’s plan. It reminds us that our ultimate goal is to know and love God, and to live in harmony with one another as children of God.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own commitment to living out our faith. Like St. Paul, we are called to be faithful stewards of the Gospel, even when the path is difficult. Jesus’ prayer, meanwhile, challenges us to strive for unity in our relationships and to trust in God’s plan for our lives. Let us ask ourselves: Are we living in a way that reflects our commitment to Christ? Are we working to build unity and understanding in our communities? May we draw strength from the examples of Paul and Jesus, and may we, like them, surrender our lives to God’s will, trusting that He will guide us through every trial.