Daily Readings - Wed May 24 2023
Acts
28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.32"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.33I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"36When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.37They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.38What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
John
11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one.12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.13"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound moments of farewell and prayer, each offering insights into the nature of spiritual leadership and community. The first reading from Acts 20:28-38 captures Paul’s poignant farewell to the elders of Ephesus. As he prepares to leave, Paul warns them of impending challenges, both from outside and within, urging vigilance and faithfulness. He emphasizes the importance of selflessness and service, reminding them that true fulfillment comes not from material wealth but from giving. The scene closes with a heartfelt prayer and the elders’ sorrow at his departure, highlighting the deep bonds forged through shared faith.
The Gospel from John 17:11b-19 presents Jesus’ high priestly prayer, where He intercedes for His disciples. Jesus prays for their protection and unity, asking the Father to sanctify them in truth. He acknowledges the challenges they will face in the world but seeks not their removal from it, rather their preservation from evil. This prayer underscores Jesus’ deep concern for His followers’ well-being and their mission to live according to God’s truth in a world often hostile to it.
These readings intertwine themes of protection, unity, and mission. Both Paul and Jesus emphasize the importance of community and vigilance in the face of adversity. Paul’s farewell and Jesus’ prayer remind us that our faith is not solitary but lived within a supportive and watchful community. In our daily lives, we are called to support one another, remain vigilant against spiritual threats, and trust in God’s protective grace. We are to embody selflessness and service, recognizing that our true strength lies in unity and faith.
As we reflect on these passages, we are reminded of the enduring importance of living as a community of faith. We are to be sanctified in truth, living out our mission in the world with courage and integrity. May we, like Paul and Jesus, prioritize the well-being of others, trust in God’s protection, and find fulfillment in giving and serving. In doing so, we embody the moral lesson of these readings: that our faith is a shared journey of love, service, and trust in God’s providence.