Looking Ahead: May 19-24, 2025

This week is a week of stress on the one hand, and consolation on the other. The first readings tend to focus on persecution and difficult questions. The gospels focus on the great consolation, love and peace that comes from Jesus.

Looking Ahead

Monday, May 19, 2025

In some ways, today’s first reading indicates the brokenness of Paul’s day. While on the one hand he is persecuted, on the other hand, after a healing, they see Paul and Barnabas as Greek Gods, Hermes and Zeus. In the gospel, we learn that Jesus loves us, and that loving Jesus means living as he wants us to live.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

In the first reading today, we witness the deep and violent persecution of Paul and the early Christians. He does not hide the truth. Preaching Jesus and following his way will lead to persecution. But the gospel provides the reassurance to all of us that in the midst of difficult challenges in the faith, Jesus comes to bring deep peace.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Today in the first reading we are introduced to a significant challenge for the early Church. Gentiles were converting to Jesus, and the question about exactly what they needed to do was pressing. Should they be circumcised? Did they have to follow all of the dietary laws found in the Bible? As we read, “there arose no little dissension and debate.” We will read about how the debate was resolved by the Church in the next couple of days.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Today in the first reading, there is a resolution because Peter stands up and shares his vision and experience of the Holy Spirit. It serves as a reminder to us that from the early days, Peter was seen as the leader, the first pope, even though they would not have used that term. In turning to a council to settle this important issue, is shows us that the Church, and not the Bible alone, played a role in what it meant to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Friday, May 23, 2025

The tension is resolved today by the Council of Jerusalem. As Gentiles turn to faith in Jesus, there were, as we saw yesterday, challenging questions about just what Gentiles should have to do to become Christian. In the gospel, Jesus reassures us of his friendship.

Saturday, May 24, 2025

After a hard week of persecution and misunderstanding, the apostle Paul meets Timothy who will prove to be a good help to Paul and a faithful disciple of Jesus. The challenge of the gospel is that if Jesus faced persecution, so too must we.

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