Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 4, 2023
First Reading: Acts 13.13-25
13From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.14From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.15After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."16Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!17The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country,18he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert,19he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance.20All this took about 450 years.21"After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.22After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'23"From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.24Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.25As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.'
Psalm 89
1I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.2I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.3You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant,4'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.'" Selah5The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.6For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings?7In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.8O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.9You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.10You crushed Rahab like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.11The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.12You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name.13Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.15Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.16They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.17For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn.18Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.19Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: "I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have exalted a young man from among the people.20I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him.21My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him.22No enemy will subject him to tribute; no wicked man will oppress him.23I will crush his foes before him and strike down his adversaries.24My faithful love will be with him, and through my name his horn will be exalted.25I will set his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers.26He will call out to me, 'You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.'27I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.28I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail.29I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.30"If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes,31if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands,32I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging;33but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.34I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.35Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness- and I will not lie to David-36that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun;37it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." Selah38But you have rejected, you have spurned, you have been very angry with your anointed one.39You have renounced the covenant with your servant and have defiled his crown in the dust.40You have broken through all his walls and reduced his strongholds to ruins.41All who pass by have plundered him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors.42You have exalted the right hand of his foes; you have made all his enemies rejoice.43You have turned back the edge of his sword and have not supported him in battle.44You have put an end to his splendor and cast his throne to the ground.45You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with a mantle of shame. Selah46How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire?47Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all men!48What man can live and not see death, or save himself from the power of the grave? Selah49O Lord, where is your former great love, which in your faithfulness you swore to David?50Remember, Lord, how your servant has been mocked, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,51the taunts with which your enemies have mocked, O LORD, with which they have mocked every step of your anointed one.52Praise be to the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.
Gospel: John 13.16-20
16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.18"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'19"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.20I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through two significant moments in the narrative of our faith. The first reading from Acts 13:13-25 captures Paul’s sermon in the synagogue of Antioch, where he traces the history of God’s covenant with Israel, culminating in the arrival of Jesus as the Savior. Paul’s message is one of fulfillment, showing how Jesus is the pinnacle of God’s plan for His people. The second reading, John 13:16-20, finds Jesus at the Last Supper, imparting a lesson on servant leadership and foretelling the betrayal He will endure, emphasizing the unity between Himself and the Father.
The context of these readings is pivotal. Paul, on his missionary journey, is addressing a Jewish audience, linking Jesus to their rich history to illustrate the fulfillment of prophecy. This approach helps his listeners connect their traditions with the new covenant. In John’s Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure, highlighting the challenges they will face and the importance of remaining faithful. Both readings underscore themes of divine mission and trust in God’s plan.
These passages relate through their emphasis on mission and trust. Paul’s historical recap in Acts mirrors Jesus’ words in John, both calling for faith in God’s plan. Paul shows God’s faithfulness through history, while Jesus prepares His disciples for future trials, reinforcing the importance of trust. Together, they remind us that our faith is rooted in God’s providence and that our actions reflect our commitment to His will.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when uncertain. Our faithfulness, like Paul’s and the disciples’, should manifest in our actions and decisions. Recognizing that our efforts, whether large or small, are part of a greater divine mission, we are encouraged to embrace our roles with dedication and love.
The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God’s providence and remain faithful. Just as Paul and the disciples trusted in their missions, we too must trust in God’s guidance. Our service to others is a reflection of our love for God, and through our actions, we embody the teachings of Christ. Let us strive to live with this trust and faithfulness, knowing that our efforts contribute to a larger purpose.