Daily Readings - Thu May 02 2019
Acts
27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
John
31"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.33The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our commitment to faith and the divine nature of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Acts 5:27-33 portrays Peter and the apostles standing resolutely before the council, refusing to cease their proclamation of Jesus' teachings. Despite the council's orders to stop, they affirm their allegiance to God, emphasizing that obedience to Him surpasses earthly authority. This scene underscores the apostles' unwavering dedication to their faith amidst persecution.
The second reading, from John 3:31-36, shifts our focus to Jesus' discourse on His divine origin. Jesus, who comes from heaven, speaks of the necessity of belief in Him for eternal life. He highlights the consequences of unbelief, warning that those who do not believe will face God's wrath. This passage emphasizes the critical role of faith in Jesus as the path to salvation and eternal life.
These readings connect through their themes of obedience to God and the imperative of faith. The apostles in Acts exemplify obedience to God's will, even in the face of adversity, while John's passage underscores the divine authority of Jesus and the salvific power of belief. Together, they remind us that our faith must guide our actions and decisions, even when faced with challenges.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to stand firm in our faith, trusting in God's plan and prioritizing His will over worldly pressures. They call us to reflect on our commitment to Jesus and the consequences of our belief or unbelief. May we, like the apostles, courageously live out our faith, trusting in Jesus' promise of eternal life. Let us embrace the truth of His divine nature and allow it to transform our lives, guiding us toward a deeper relationship with Him.