Daily Readings - Sat May 24 2025
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
The readings today remind us of the challenges and opportunities that come with following Christ. In the first reading from Acts, we see Paul and Timothy embarking on their missionary journey, guided by the Holy Spirit. Paul, though a zealous preacher, takes the practical step of circumcising Timothy to make him more acceptable to the Jewish communities they will visit. This shows us that being faithful doesn’t mean being rigid; sometimes, we need to adapt to reach others effectively. The Spirit then leads them to Macedonia, where they are called to preach the Gospel. This passage emphasizes the importance of discernment and trust in God’s plan, even when the path is unclear.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the world’s hatred for those who follow Him. He reminds them that they are not of the world, and because of this, they will face persecution. Yet, He also reassures them that they are not alone; the same Spirit that guided the apostles in Acts will guide them. Jesus’ words are a sobering reminder that living as His disciples will often mean facing opposition, but it is in these moments that our faith is tested and strengthened.
These readings call us to reflect on our own lives. Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the path is uncertain? Are we prepared to face challenges because of our commitment to Christ? The good news is that we are not left alone. Like Paul and Timothy, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, and like the disciples, we have the promise of God’s presence in the midst of persecution. Let us trust in His plan, remain steadfast in our faith, and remember that our ultimate home is not in this world but in the kingdom of God.