Daily Readings - Mon May 26 2025
Acts
11From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis.12From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.13On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.14One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.15When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.
John
1"All this I have told you so that you will not go astray.2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.3They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.4I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we witness the spread of the Gospel and the challenges faced by early Christians. The first reading from Acts describes Paul's journey to Philippi, where he encounters Lydia, a Gentile convert. Lydia's openness to the Holy Spirit leads to her baptism and hospitality, exemplifying the inclusive nature of the early church. The Gospel reading from John features Jesus preparing His disciples for future persecution, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's role in providing strength and testimony.
Both readings highlight the Holy Spirit's crucial role in the lives of believers. In Acts, the Spirit guides Paul to Lydia, illustrating divine providence and the expansion of Christianity. In John, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as an advocate, enabling the disciples to face challenges with courage. This connection underscores the Spirit's role in empowering believers to spread the Gospel despite adversity.
Applying this to our lives, we are reminded to remain open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and to trust in God's plan. Just as Lydia was receptive and courageous, we too can embrace opportunities to share our faith. The readings encourage us to face challenges with resilience, knowing the Holy Spirit supports us. This spiritual reflection invites us to trust in divine guidance and to live with courage and openness, embodying the inclusive and resilient spirit of the early church.