Daily Readings - Sun Jun 12 2022
Proverbs
22"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,, before his deeds of old;23I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.24When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,26before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.30Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
Romans
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4perseverance, character; and character, hope.5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
John
12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound reflections on wisdom, faith, and the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives. The first reading from Proverbs personifies Wisdom as an eternal and divine attribute, present since the beginning and integral to creation. This Wisdom delights in humanity, emphasizing a deep connection between the divine and human existence. The second reading from Romans, written by St. Paul, discusses the benefits of faith, including access to grace and the ability to find glory in tribulation through patience and hope. Finally, the Gospel from John features Jesus speaking about the Holy Spirit, who will teach the truth and glorify Jesus by revealing His teachings.
These readings are interconnected through themes of divine presence and guidance. Proverbs highlights Wisdom’s role in creation, while Romans connects faith with hope amidst challenges. John’s Gospel introduces the Holy Spirit as the continuation of Jesus’ teaching, linking all three readings in a narrative of divine guidance and truth. Together, they illustrate the enduring presence of God’s wisdom and spirit in our lives.
Applying these readings to daily life, we are reminded to seek wisdom in our decisions and trust in God’s plan, especially during difficult times. The Holy Spirit’s guidance encourages us to remain open to truth and to find hope through faith. The moral lesson here is one of trust and hope: by embracing God’s wisdom and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we navigate life’s challenges with faith, trusting in divine providence and finding joy in our relationship with God.