Daily Readings - Sun May 10 2020
Acts
1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
1 Peter
4As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, "8and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for.9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
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.7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Sermon
The readings today guide us to reflect on the nature of faith, service, and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community addressing a practical problem—the fair distribution of resources to widows. The Apostles, recognizing their primary role as spiritual leaders, delegate the task to seven trusted disciples, ensuring that the Word of God remains central to their mission. This passage reminds us that effective service requires both prayer and action, and that leadership involves empowering others to contribute their gifts for the common good.
The second reading from 1 Peter deepens this theme by describing believers as "living stones" built on the cornerstone of Christ. We are called to be a "holy priesthood," offering spiritual sacrifices that honor God. This imagery emphasizes our shared identity as a community of faith, united in our belief in Jesus, the rejected stone who has become the foundation of our salvation. Just as the early church found unity in their mission, we too are called to live as a people set apart, shining with the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in darkness.
In the Gospel, Jesus reassures His disciples with the comforting words, "Do not let your heart be troubled." He invites us to trust in Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the only path to the Father. This passage challenges us to deepen our personal relationship with Jesus, recognizing that our faith is not just about belonging to a community but about a living, intimate connection with Him. Like Philip, we may sometimes struggle to see the Father in Jesus, but Jesus assures us that to see Him is to see the Father. As we navigate the uncertainties of life, may we find peace in Jesus’ promise and strive to reflect His love and truth in all we do.