Daily Readings - Tue May 19 2020
Acts
22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten.23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose.27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.28But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family.
John
5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief.7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer;11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives that illuminate the transformative power of faith and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from Acts recounts the trials of Paul and Silas, who, despite being beaten and imprisoned, continued to pray and sing hymns. Their unwavering faith not only led to a miraculous earthquake that freed them but also opened the heart of the jailer to the Gospel. This man, on the brink of despair, found salvation through Paul’s words of hope and the grace of baptism.
The Gospel from John presents Jesus preparing His disciples for His departure, promising the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who would guide them in truth and convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This passage reminds us that our faith is not in isolation but is supported by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live according to God’s will, even in challenging times.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God’s plan and our openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Like Paul and Silas, we may face trials, but our perseverance and faith can lead to unexpected graces. The jailer’s conversion shows us the transformative power of belief and the boundless mercy of God. Let us, therefore, embrace the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, trusting that He will lead us to truth and guide us through every challenge. In doing so, we find strength to persevere and share the Good News with others, just as Paul and Silas did.