Daily Readings - Fri Apr 30 2021
Acts
26Noble brothers, sons of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, it is to you the Word of this salvation has been sent27For those who were living in Jerusalem, and its rulers, heeding neither him, nor the voices of the Prophets that are read on every Sabbath, fulfilled these by judging him28And although they found no case for death against him, they petitioned Pilate, so that they might put him to death29And when they had fulfilled everything that had been written about him, taking him down from the tree, they placed him in a tomb30Yet truly, God raised him up from the dead on the third day31And he was seen for many days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who even now are his witnesses to the people32And we are announcing to you that the Promise, which was made to our fathers33has been fulfilled by God for our children by raising up Jesus, just as it has been written in the second Psalm also: ‘You are my Son. This day I have begotten you.
John
1"Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also2In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. If there were not, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will return again, and then I will take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be4And you know where I am going. And you know the way.5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?6Jesus said to him: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the heart of our faith: the promise of salvation and the assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ. In the first reading from Acts, Paul preaches to the people of Antioch, explaining how the death and resurrection of Jesus fulfill the promises of the Old Testament. He emphasizes that the message of salvation is not just for the Jewish people but for all who seek God. This reading reminds us that the story of Jesus is rooted in history and prophecy, and it is through him that God’s plan for humanity is revealed.
The Gospel from John takes us into the intimate conversation Jesus shares with his disciples before his Passion. Jesus comforts them by saying, “Do not let your heart be troubled,” and he assures them that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. When Thomas expresses confusion about the way to follow Jesus, Jesus responds with one of the most profound statements in Scripture: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This passage is a beautiful reminder that Jesus is our ultimate guide, and his love and truth are the foundation of our hope.
These readings call us to trust in God’s plan and to place our faith in Jesus, who is the fulfillment of all promises. In our daily lives, we often face uncertainty and doubt, just like Thomas. But Jesus’s words encourage us to remain steadfast in our belief and to seek him as our way, truth, and life. Let us remember that no matter the challenges we face, God’s love and mercy are always at work, preparing a place for us in his eternal kingdom. May we live each day with the hope and assurance that Jesus is our path to the Father, and may we share this good news with others, just as Paul did in Antioch.