Daily Readings - Fri May 13 2022
Acts
26"Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.27The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.28Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.29When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.30But God raised him from the dead,31and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.32"We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers33he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: "'You are my Son; today I have become your Father. '
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.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear Paul addressing the people of Antioch, explaining how the events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection fulfill the promises of the prophets. He emphasizes that the rulers in Jerusalem did not recognize Jesus, but God, in His wisdom, raised Him from the dead, a testament to the fulfillment of ancient promises. In the Gospel, Jesus comforts His disciples, reassuring them of a place in His Father's house. He declares Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the sole path to the Father.
Both readings are set in contexts of transition and preparation. Paul, on his missionary journey, connects Jesus to the Jewish scriptures, showing the continuity of God's plan. Jesus, in His Farewell Discourse, prepares His disciples for His departure, offering comfort and assurance. The link between the readings lies in their emphasis on belief and trust in God's plan. Paul highlights belief in the fulfillment of prophecy, while Jesus underscores belief in Him as the path to eternal life.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God's plan, especially during uncertain times. They remind us that following Jesus, as the Way, leads us to eternal life. The moral lesson here is one of faith and trust in God's promises, encouraging us to live according to Jesus' teachings and find comfort in His assurance. Let us embrace this faith, trusting in God's plan and following Jesus as our guide.