Daily Readings - Thu May 18 2023
Acts
1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.2There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.5When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.6But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."7Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.8Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
John
16"In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."17Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?"18They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."19Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'?20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts tells us about Paul’s ministry in Corinth, where he meets Aquila and Priscilla, Jewish exiles from Rome, and works with them as tentmakers. Despite facing opposition in the synagogue, Paul remains steadfast in preaching the Gospel, and many Corinthians come to believe and are baptized. The reading highlights Paul’s resilience and trust in God’s plan, even in the face of rejection. The Gospel from John presents Jesus comforting his disciples with the promise that though they will mourn his departure, their sorrow will turn to joy. Jesus is preparing them for his return to the Father and the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will guide them in his absence.
Both readings speak to the theme of transition and trust in God’s plan. In Acts, Paul’s ministry shifts from the synagogue to the Gentiles, showing how God’s plan unfolds even when human efforts seem to fail. In John, Jesus assures his disciples that his departure is not an end but a new beginning, one that will bring them joy beyond their current sorrow. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is rooted in trust, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
In our daily lives, we often face moments of transition or rejection, just like Paul and the disciples. These readings invite us to embrace such moments with faith, knowing that God is always at work. Like Paul, we can remain steadfast in our mission, even when faced with opposition. And like the disciples, we can trust that our sorrow will be transformed into joy, not because the pain disappears, but because God’s presence remains with us. Let us, therefore, approach life’s challenges with courage and hope, trusting that God’s plan will bring light out of darkness and joy out of sorrow.