Daily Readings - Sat May 28 2022
Acts
23After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.24Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.27When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.28For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
John
23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.25"Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.26In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.27No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.28I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about the nature of faith, teaching, and prayer. The first reading from Acts describes the missionary journeys of Paul and the emergence of Apollos, a gifted preacher who, despite his eloquence, needed further instruction in the Way of the Lord. Priscilla and Aquila, a couple deeply rooted in their faith, took him aside and enriched his understanding, enabling him to proclaim the Gospel even more effectively. This passage reminds us that faith is a journey of growth, and even the most gifted among us need guidance and deeper formation.
The Gospel reading from John takes us into the intimate conversation between Jesus and His disciples. Jesus speaks of a time when they will no longer need to ask Him for anything, for they will be able to ask the Father directly in His name. He assures them that the Father loves them and that their joy will be complete when they pray with this confidence. This passage invites us to reflect on the depth of our relationship with God. It reminds us that prayer is not just a request for favors but a communion of love, rooted in the knowledge that we are beloved by the Father.
Both readings call us to live our faith with humility and confidence. Like Apollos, we must be open to learning and growing in our understanding of God’s ways. Like the disciples, we are invited to pray with boldness, knowing that the Father’s love for us is boundless. Let us ask ourselves: Am I open to being taught and guided in my faith? Do I approach prayer with the confidence that I am loved and heard? May we, like Apollos, allow others to help us deepen our faith, and may we, like the disciples, pray with the assurance that we are children of a loving Father.