Daily Readings - Mon May 25 2020
Acts
1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples2and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."3So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?John's baptism," they replied.4Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."5On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.7There were about twelve men in all.8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.
John
29Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.30Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."31"You believe at last!" Jesus answered.32"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Sermon
The first reading from Acts and the Gospel of John both invite us to reflect on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Acts, Paul encounters disciples in Ephesus who had been baptized with John’s baptism but had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Paul explains that John’s baptism was a call to repentance, preparing the way for faith in Jesus. After baptizing them in the name of Jesus, Paul lays hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit, manifesting His presence through tongues and prophecy. This passage reminds us that the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God’s promise and the source of our spiritual vitality.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the challenges they will face after His departure. He assures them that even though they will be scattered and face difficulties, they should not lose heart because He has overcome the world. Jesus emphasizes that the Father is always with Him, and through faith, His disciples can find peace in the midst of turmoil. This passage invites us to trust in God’s presence and providence, even when the world seems uncertain.
Together, these readings remind us that the Holy Spirit is our strength and our peace. In Acts, the Spirit empowers believers to live boldly as witnesses of Christ. In John’s Gospel, the Spirit is the source of the peace that Jesus leaves with His disciples. In our daily lives, we can apply this by trusting in the Holy Spirit’s guidance and seeking His comfort when we face challenges. Let us ask for the courage to live as Spirit-filled disciples, confident that God is always with us, even in the midst of difficulties.