Daily Readings - Fri May 19 2023
Acts
9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.10For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."11So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.12While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court.13"This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."14Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you.15But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things."16So he had them ejected from the court.17Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.18Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.
John
20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.21A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.23In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, perseverance, and the promise of joy amidst trials. The first reading from Acts 18:9-18 recounts Paul’s missionary journey in Corinth, where he faced intense opposition from the Jews. Despite the challenges, Paul remained steadfast in his mission, teaching the Word of God for over a year and a half. The Lord appeared to him in a vision, reassuring him, “Do not be afraid… I am with you.” This divine encouragement gave Paul the courage to continue his work, even as the Jews brought him before the Roman proconsul Gallio. Gallio’s dismissal of the case and Paul’s eventual departure for Syria remind us that God’s work often prevails, even in the face of adversity.
The Gospel reading from John 16:20-23a complements this theme of perseverance and hope. Jesus tells His disciples that they will experience sorrow and weeping, but this will be transformed into joy. He uses the analogy of a woman in childbirth, who endures pain but forgets it once she holds her newborn in her arms. Similarly, the disciples—and we—will face trials, but our sorrow will be turned into joy when we see Jesus again. This passage reminds us that our struggles are temporary and that eternal joy awaits us if we remain faithful.
These readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to challenges in our own lives. Like Paul, we may face opposition or uncertainty, but we are never alone. God is with us, guiding us and giving us the strength to persevere. Like the disciples, we may experience sorrow, but we can trust in the promise of ultimate joy. Let us embrace these trials as opportunities to deepen our faith, knowing that God’s plan is always at work, even when we cannot see it. May we, like Paul, remain steadfast in our mission and trust in the Lord’s promise to turn our sorrow into joy.