Daily Readings - Thu May 28 2020
Acts
30The next day, since the commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.
6Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead."7When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)9There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. "We find nothing wrong with this man," they said. "What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?"10The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
John
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful scenes that invite us to reflect on the nature of unity and division, and how our faith calls us to navigate these realities in our lives. The first reading from Acts describes Paul’s appearance before the Sanhedrin, where he cleverly exploits the theological divisions between the Pharisees and Sadducees to create a stir that ultimately leads to his rescue by Roman soldiers. Meanwhile, in the Gospel, Jesus prays for the unity of his disciples, expressing his deep desire that they may be one, just as he and the Father are one. These two passages, though seemingly different, share a common thread: the challenge of maintaining unity amidst diversity and division.
The context of the first reading is deeply political and religious. Paul, a Pharisee, uses his knowledge of the theological differences between the Pharisees and Sadducees to create a rift in the council, which allows him to escape further persecution. This passage reminds us that even in the face of adversity, God can use our circumstances to protect us and further His plan. The Gospel, on the other hand, takes us into the intimate prayer of Jesus, where He expresses His desire for unity among His followers. This unity is not just for the sake of harmony but is a witness to the world that Jesus was sent by the Father. The love and unity that exist between the Father and the Son are to be mirrored in the lives of His disciples.
These readings challenge us to reflect on how we live out our faith in a world marked by division. Like Paul, we may find ourselves in situations where we must navigate differing opinions and beliefs. Yet, Jesus’ prayer reminds us that our ultimate goal should be unity, not uniformity. This unity is rooted in our shared relationship with God and our commitment to love one another as God has loved us. In our daily lives, this means seeking to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others, even when we disagree. It means working towards reconciliation and harmony, rather than allowing divisions to define us. As we strive to live out this unity, we become a living witness to the love of God, just as Jesus prayed. Let us, therefore, ask for the grace to be instruments of unity in a world so often torn apart by division.