Daily Readings - Sun May 15 2022
Acts
21They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.23Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.24After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,25and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.26From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.27On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Revelation
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
John
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.31When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.32If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful themes of perseverance, hope, and love. The first reading from Acts reminds us that the early Christian communities, though facing many trials, were strengthened in their faith by Paul and Barnabas. They were exhorted to remain steadfast, for it is through tribulations that we enter the kingdom of God. This passage reflects the resilience of the early church and the importance of community in sustaining faith. The second reading from Revelation offers a vision of hope—a new heaven and a new earth where God dwells with his people, wiping away every tear and ending death and mourning. This passage invites us to look beyond our current struggles and trust in God’s promise of eternal life. The Gospel from John captures a pivotal moment when Jesus, on the eve of his Passion, gives his disciples a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved them. This love is not only a moral imperative but the very hallmark of discipleship.
These readings are deeply interconnected. The trials described in Acts and the hope of Revelation both point to the transformative power of love that Jesus speaks of in the Gospel. The early Christians endured hardships because they were united in their faith and in their love for one another. Similarly, Revelation’s vision of the new Jerusalem is a place where God’s people live in perfect unity and love. Jesus’ commandment to love one another is not merely a suggestion but a way of life that reflects the very nature of God. By loving one another, we become witnesses to the power of God’s love in a world often marked by division and suffering.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. Each of us faces trials, whether personal struggles, relational challenges, or broader societal issues. Yet, like the early Christians, we are called to perseverance and hope. We are also called to love—authentic, selfless love that seeks the good of others. This love is not always easy, but it is transformative. It changes us and those around us, drawing us closer to God and to one another. Let us ask ourselves: How can I embody this love in my relationships, in my workplace, in my community? How can I, like the early church, strengthen others in their faith and hope? May we find the courage to love as Christ has loved us, trusting that through tribulations, we will enter into the fullness of God’s kingdom.