Daily Readings - Mon Apr 13 2020

¹⁴But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and he spoke to them: "Men of Judea, and all those who are staying in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and incline your ears to my words²²Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene is a man confirmed by God among you through the miracles and wonders and signs that God accomplished through him in your midst, just as you also know²³This man, under the definitive plan and foreknowledge of God, was delivered by the hands of the unjust, afflicted, and put to death²⁴And he whom God has raised up has broken the sorrows of Hell, for certainly it was impossible for him to be held by it²⁵For David said about him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always in my sight, for he is at my right hand, so that I may not be moved²⁶Because of this, my heart has rejoiced, and my tongue has exulted. Moreover, my flesh shall also rest in hope²⁷For you will not abandon my soul to Hell, nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption²⁸You have made known to me the ways of life. You will completely fill me with happiness by your presence.²⁹Noble brothers, permit me to speak freely to you about the Patriarch David: for he passed away and was buried, and his sepulcher is with us, even to this very day³⁰Therefore, he was a prophet, for he knew that God had sworn an oath to him about the fruit of his loins, about the One who would sit upon his throne³¹Foreseeing this, he was speaking about the Resurrection of the Christ. For he was neither left behind in Hell, nor did his flesh see corruption³²This Jesus, God raised up again, and of this we are all witnesses³³Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the Promise of the Holy Spirit, he poured this out, just as you now see and hear

Matthew

Chapter 28

⁸And they went out of the tomb quickly, with fear and in great joy, running to announce it to his disciples⁹And behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Hail." But they drew near and took hold of his feet, and they adored him¹⁰Then Jesus said to them: "Do not be afraid. Go, announce it to my brothers, so that they may go to Galilee. There they shall see me.¹¹And when they had departed, behold, some of the guards went into the city, and they reported to the leaders of the priests all that had happened¹²And gathering together with the elders, having taken counsel, they gave an abundant sum of money to the soldiers¹³saying: "Say that his disciples arrived at night and stole him away, while we were sleeping¹⁴And if the procurator hears about this, we will persuade him, and we will protect you.¹⁵Then, having accepted the money, they did as they were instructed. And this word has been spread among the Jews, even to this day

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives centered on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Acts captures Peter's impassioned speech, where he connects the resurrection to the fulfillment of God's plan and David's prophecy. This moment in the early church highlights the apostle's role in proclaiming the Gospel, emphasizing that Jesus's resurrection was not an accident but a divine act. The second reading from Matthew vividly describes the immediate aftermath of the resurrection, focusing on the women's joy and the guards' bribery to conceal the truth. This narrative underscores the tension between the truth of the resurrection and the attempts to suppress it. Both readings are set in the context of the post-resurrection era, each offering a unique perspective. Acts is situated in the early days of the church, where Peter addresses a Jewish audience, linking Jesus to their scriptural heritage. Matthew's account is more immediate, detailing the events right after the resurrection and the ensuing cover-up. These narratives connect thematically through their focus on the resurrection's impact and the spread of the Gospel despite opposition. Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded of the hope and courage the resurrection brings. Just as the early disciples faced challenges with faith, we too can confront life's struggles with trust in God's plan. The readings encourage us to embrace our role as witnesses, spreading the Good News even in the face of adversity. The moral lesson here is one of trust and testimony: trust in God's plan and the courage to share our faith, knowing that truth ultimately prevails. Let us, like the early disciples, find the strength to proclaim the risen Christ in our lives.