Daily Readings - Sun Jun 16 2019
Proverbs
22"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,, before his deeds of old;23I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.24When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,26before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.30Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
Romans
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4perseverance, character; and character, hope.5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
John
12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter the timeless themes of wisdom, faith, and the Holy Spirit's guidance. The first reading from Proverbs personifies Wisdom as an eternal companion to God, present from the beginning and delighting in humanity. This emphasizes Wisdom's role in creation and our lives. The second reading from Romans connects faith with peace and hope, highlighting that even in suffering, patience and hope can grow through the Holy Spirit's love. The Gospel from John introduces the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth, guiding us to all truth and glorifying Jesus by revealing His teachings.
These readings intertwine through the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and imparting wisdom. In Proverbs, Wisdom is like the Holy Spirit, guiding creation and humanity. In Romans, the Holy Spirit is the source of hope through faith. In John, the Spirit reveals truth, linking faith and wisdom. Together, they show the Holy Spirit as our guide, offering wisdom and hope.
In daily life, we can apply this by seeking wisdom in our decisions and trusting in the Holy Spirit's guidance. Even in challenges, we can find hope through patience and faith. The moral reflection is to trust in God's plan, seek wisdom, and embrace hope, knowing the Holy Spirit is our constant guide. Let us live with the assurance that through faith and wisdom, we can navigate life's tribulations with hope and peace.