Daily Readings - Sat May 21 2022
Acts
1He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek.2The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.3Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.4As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.6Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.7When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."10After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
John
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through the missionary travels of Paul and reflect on the profound words of Jesus regarding persecution and discipleship. The first reading from Acts 16:1-10 describes Paul’s encounter with Timothy, a young disciple with a mixed Jewish and Gentile background. Paul, recognizing Timothy’s potential, circumcises him to facilitate their mission among the Jews. Together, they travel through various regions, guided by the Holy Spirit, who redirects their efforts to Macedonia. This passage highlights the early Church’s reliance on the Spirit’s guidance and the importance of adapting to God’s will, even when it means changing plans. The Church grows in faith and number, showing the fruitfulness of their obedience.
The Gospel from John 15:18-21 shifts our focus to Jesus’ words about the world’s hatred for His followers. Jesus reminds us that persecution is inevitable because the world does not know God. As disciples, we are not of the world, and this sets us apart. Jesus’ warning is not meant to instill fear but to prepare us for the challenges of living out our faith. He assures us that as the world hated Him, it will hate us, but we are not without hope or strength. The same Spirit that guided Paul and Timothy empowers us today to endure and to witness to God’s love.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own journey of faith. Like Paul and Timothy, we are called to trust in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain. Like the disciples, we are reminded that our faith will often set us apart from the world, and this may bring challenges. Yet, in the midst of these difficulties, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit guides us, strengthens us, and equips us to live as witnesses of God’s love. Let us embrace this calling with courage and trust, knowing that God’s plan is always greater than our own. May we, like the early Church, grow in faith and number, and may our lives bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.