Daily Readings - Thu May 13 2021
Acts
1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.2There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.5When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.6But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."7Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.8Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
John
16"In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."17Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"18They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."19Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'?20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on perseverance, trust, and the transformative power of faith. The first reading from Acts 18:1-8 recounts Paul's journey to Corinth, where he faces rejection but continues his missionary work, leading to the conversion of many. The Gospel, John 16:16-20, presents Jesus comforting His disciples with the promise that their sorrow will turn to joy, despite the temporary nature of their suffering.
Both readings are set against the backdrop of challenge and change. Paul, in Corinth, exemplifies perseverance despite opposition, while Jesus prepares His disciples for the trials ahead, assuring them of ultimate joy. These contexts highlight the universal theme of enduring difficulty with faith, knowing that God's plan often unfolds beyond our immediate understanding.
In our daily lives, we often face setbacks and uncertainties. These readings encourage us to embrace perseverance and trust in God's plan. Just as Paul found success among the Gentiles after facing rejection, and just as the disciples found joy after sorrow, we too can transform our struggles into opportunities for growth. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith assures us that sorrow is temporary, and through enduring hardship with trust, we can find profound joy. Let us carry this hope in our hearts, knowing that God weaves our challenges into a tapestry of greater good.