Daily Readings - Sat May 13 2023
Acts
1He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek.2The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.3Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.4As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.6Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.7When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."10After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
John
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through the early Christian Church’s expansion and Jesus’ poignant words to His disciples. The first reading from Acts recounts Paul’s encounter with Timothy, a pivotal moment in his missionary journey. Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, navigates the challenges of spreading the Gospel, demonstrating adaptability and obedience to God’s will. The Gospel from John captures Jesus preparing His disciples for the trials they will face, emphasizing that the world’s hatred stems from their allegiance to Him, not the world.
These passages, though distinct, intertwine in their themes of mission and persecution. Paul’s experiences illustrate the practical challenges of evangelization, while Jesus’ words in John provide the theological underpinning for understanding why such challenges arise. Together, they remind us that following Christ necessitates embracing both the mission and the potential for adversity.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God’s guidance and remain steadfast in our faith. Just as Paul was open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, we too can seek divine direction in our decisions and challenges. Jesus’ words remind us that our commitment to Him may draw opposition, but it is through perseverance that we bear witness to His love. Let us, therefore, approach each day with courage and trust, knowing that our faith is a beacon of hope in a world often hostile to the Gospel.