Daily Readings - Wed Apr 19 2023
Acts
17Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.18They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.20"Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."21At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.22When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin--the full assembly of the elders of Israel--and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported,23"We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside."24On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this.25Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people."26At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
John
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, obedience, and the transformative power of God's love. The first reading from Acts recounts the courage of the Apostles who, despite imprisonment and persecution, continued to preach the Good News. Freed miraculously by an angel, they returned to the temple, undeterred by the risks, embodying unwavering commitment to their mission. This passage highlights the early Christian community's resilience and trust in divine providence amidst adversity.
The Gospel from John presents one of the most profound expressions of God's love: the gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ. This passage emphasizes that God's intent is not to condemn but to save, offering eternal life to all who believe. It contrasts light and darkness, urging us to embrace truth and reject evil. Jesus, the Light of the World, reveals that our works must align with God's truth, reflecting our commitment to living in His grace.
These readings intertwine themes of obedience and faith. The Apostles' perseverance mirrors Jesus' obedience to His Father's will, demonstrating that true discipleship involves standing firm in faith despite challenges. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace this same courage and trust, trusting in God's plan even when faced with obstacles. Let us choose to walk in the light of Christ, allowing His truth to guide our actions and decisions. May we, like the Apostles, faithfully proclaim God's love and live as beacons of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness.