Daily Readings - Thu May 26 2022
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 moments of transition and transformation, both in the life of Paul and in the words of Jesus. In Acts, Paul finds himself in Corinth, where he continues his missionary work despite facing rejection from the Jews. He works as a tentmaker, preaches in the synagogue, and eventually turns to the Gentiles, leading many to faith. This shift marks a significant moment in the spread of Christianity, as the Gospel begins to reach beyond the Jewish community. In John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about His impending departure, using the metaphor of a little while to describe the time until they will see Him again. He reassures them that their sorrow will turn into joy, much like a woman in childbirth who forgets her pain once she holds her child.
These readings are deeply connected, as both Paul and Jesus deal with transitions that bring both challenge and hope. Paul’s move to the Gentiles represents a broader inclusion of all people in God’s plan, while Jesus prepares His disciples for the transition of His physical absence and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Both stories remind us that change, though often difficult, is a part of growth and transformation. Just as Paul trusted in God’s plan to reach new people, and just as the disciples would come to understand Jesus’ words after the Resurrection, we too can trust that our struggles and uncertainties are part of a larger purpose.
In our daily lives, we often face moments of transition—times when we must let go of the familiar and step into the unknown. These readings encourage us to embrace such moments with faith and perseverance. Like Paul, we may encounter resistance or setbacks, but we can trust that God is opening new doors. Like the disciples, we may experience sorrow or confusion, but we can hold onto the promise that our sorrow will be turned into joy. Let us remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow closer to God and to share His love with others. May we, like Paul, be bold in our witness, and may we, like the disciples, trust in the transformative power of God’s plan.