Daily Readings - Sat May 02 2020
Acts
31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.32As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.33There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years.34"Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up.35All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas ), who was always doing good and helping the poor.37About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.38Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"39Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.40Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.41He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive.42This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
John
53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that highlight the transformative power of faith and the divine presence in our lives. The first reading from Acts recounts two miracles performed by Peter—healing the paralytic Aeneas and raising Dorcas from the dead. These miracles not only demonstrate the Holy Spirit's active role in the early Church but also show how faith can lead to extraordinary acts of healing and conversion. The second reading from John presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, where He explains the necessity of partaking in His flesh and blood for eternal life. This teaching divides the crowd, leading some disciples to leave, yet Peter's unwavering confession underscores the commitment required to follow Christ.
The context of these readings is crucial. Acts depicts the early Church's growth, with Peter as a key figure embodying the faith and power of the Holy Spirit. John's Gospel, set during Jesus' ministry, captures a moment where His teachings challenge the disciples' understanding, testing their faith. Both readings, though from different periods, share a common theme: the role of faith in action and commitment. Peter's miracles in Acts are a direct result of his faith, while in John, the disciples' faith is tested by Jesus' challenging words.
Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are reminded to trust in God's power and remain open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Just as Peter trusted God to perform miracles, we can trust Him in our own challenges. The disciples' experience in John teaches us that faith requires commitment, even when teachings are difficult. Our moral takeaway is that faith is not just belief but also surrender and trust. It is through this faith that we experience God's power and grow in our relationship with Him, standing firm even in the face of adversity.