Daily Readings - Fri May 17 2019
Acts
26"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.27The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.28Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.29When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.30But God raised him from the dead,31and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.32"We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers33he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: "'You are my Son; today I have become your Father. '
John
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.4You know the way to the place where I am going."5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear Paul addressing the people of Antioch, explaining that Jesus, though rejected by the rulers in Jerusalem, fulfilled the scriptures through his death and resurrection. This message emphasizes that the promise of salvation is not just for the Jews but for everyone. In the Gospel, Jesus reassures his disciples, troubled by his impending departure, by promising to prepare a place for them in heaven. He declares himself as the way, the truth, and the life, the sole path to the Father.
The context of these readings is significant. Paul's sermon in Acts is part of his missionary journeys, targeting both Jews and Gentiles, highlighting the universal nature of the Gospel. In John, the setting is the Farewell Discourse, where Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure, reassuring them of their eternal destiny and his divine role. Together, these passages underscore Jesus as the fulfillment of God's plan, both historically and personally.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are reminded to trust in God's providence, especially during uncertain times. Jesus guides us through life's challenges, calling us to be His witnesses. By living with faith and love, we reflect His presence in the world. The moral lesson is clear: place your trust in God, have faith in Jesus as your path to eternal life, and live as a beacon of His love and truth.