Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 29, 2025

Thursday of the 6th Week of Easter

Scripture Text:  Acts 18:1-8

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. He went to visit them and, because he practiced the same trade, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. Every sabbath, he entered into discussions in the synagogue, attempting to convince both Jews and Greeks.

When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to occupy himself totally with preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. When they opposed him and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your heads! I am clear of responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” So, he left there and went to a house belonging to a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next to a synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today from the Acts of the Apostles recounts more of Paul’s journeys to bring Christ to others. Along the way, Paul’s efforts for Christ were supported by various individuals like Aquila and Priscilla and Titus. We see that, much like today, while many believed, many did not.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I open to Christ? Do I truly believe in Christ or am I just “going along” to get along? What am I contributing to the effort to bring Christ to others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, we lift our voices to You this day in praise of all You are and in thanksgiving for all You have done for love of us. Most especially, we give You thanks for the gift of your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for our redemption. He came to dwell among us, to reveal your love for us, and to win our salvation by sacrificing himself. He did all this because of His love for You and for us. Send your Spirit to stir within us, to kindle the fire of the divine love that is so powerful it can fuel wondrous conversions changing minds and hearts. Grant that we may pick up our discipleship and fully live as believers in your Son and bring our belief to others and share our love of your Son through words and deeds. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.