Daily Readings - Sun May 07 2023
Acts
1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
1 Peter
4As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, "8and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for.9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
John
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.4You know the way to the place where I am going."5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful lessons about community, faith, and the role of each believer. The first reading from Acts describes the early Christian church addressing a practical issue—widows being overlooked. The Apostles, recognizing the need for organization, appointed deacons to manage temporal affairs, ensuring that spiritual leadership could focus on prayer and ministry. This highlights the church's adaptability and commitment to both spiritual and temporal well-being.
The second reading from 1 Peter uses the metaphor of living stones to depict the church as a spiritual entity. Each believer is a stone, with Jesus as the cornerstone, symbolizing unity and the integral role each person plays in the church. This emphasizes our collective identity as a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices and announcing God's virtues.
In the Gospel, Jesus comforts His disciples, asserting He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This declaration not only provides comfort but also clarity about His relationship with the Father. Jesus' words remind us that our faith is rooted in Him, and through Him, we find our way to the Father.
These readings interconnect by emphasizing community and purpose. Acts shows the church's structure, 1 Peter our spiritual identity, and John our ultimate purpose in Jesus. In daily life, this calls us to be active, serving members of our communities, trusting in Jesus as our guide. The moral lesson is one of unity, service, and faith, reminding us that Jesus is our cornerstone, providing comfort and direction. Let us embrace our roles, united in faith, and trust in Jesus as our eternal Way.