Daily Readings - Tue May 17 2022

¹⁹Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.²⁰But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.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.²⁸And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

John

Chapter 14

²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.²⁸"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.²⁹I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.³⁰I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,³¹but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, perseverance, and divine trust. The first reading from Acts recounts Paul’s missionary journey, where he faces intense persecution, including being stoned and left for dead. Yet, Paul resiliently continues his mission, establishing churches and strengthening the faith of the early Christians. This passage highlights the early church’s challenges and the unwavering commitment of its missionaries. The Gospel from John presents Jesus comforting His disciples before His departure. He offers them a peace that transcends the world’s understanding, rooted in His obedience to the Father. Jesus’ words are a farewell discourse, preparing His followers for the challenges ahead, emphasizing trust and faith in divine providence. Both readings intersect in their themes of trust and perseverance amidst adversity. Paul’s resilience mirrors Jesus’ trust in the Father, illustrating how faith navigates us through life’s trials. These stories remind us to face challenges with courage and trust in God’s plan, finding peace in His presence. Let us embrace this peace, enduring hardships with faith, just as Paul and Jesus did, trusting that God’s grace will guide us through.