Daily Readings - Tue Jun 04 2019
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 moments of reflection and prayer from the New Testament. The first reading, from Acts 20:17-27, captures Paul's heartfelt farewell to the elders of Ephesus. Paul, aware of the impending challenges and trials as he journeys to Jerusalem, reflects on his ministry with humility and integrity. He emphasizes his unwavering commitment to preaching the Gospel, despite the hardships, and entrusts the elders with the responsibility of caring for the flock, acknowledging that he has fulfilled his duty to share God's counsel.
The Gospel reading, John 17:1-11a, presents Jesus in a moment of intimate prayer with the Father. Jesus, on the eve of His Passion, prays for glorification, not for Himself, but to fulfill His mission of revealing the Father's love. He prayed for His disciples, asking that they may be one, just as He and the Father are one. This prayer underscores the unity and love that should characterize the community of believers.
Both readings highlight themes of mission, unity, and trust in God's plan. Paul's courage in the face of trials and Jesus' prayer for unity remind us to stay committed to our faith mission, face challenges with courage, and strive for unity in our communities. The moral lesson here is one of trust in God's plan and the importance of unity among believers, reflecting the divine love and oneness shared between the Father and the Son.