Daily Readings - Fri Apr 14 2023
Acts
1But while they were speaking to the people, the priests and the magistrate of the temple and the Sadducees overwhelmed them2being grieved that they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection from the dead3And they laid hands on them, and they placed them under guard until the next day. For it was now evening4But many of those who had heard the word believed. And the number of men became five thousand5And it happened on the next day that their leaders and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem6including Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the priestly family7And stationing them in the middle, they questioned them: "By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Leaders of the people and elders, listen9If we today are judged by a good deed done to an infirm man, by which he has been made whole10let it be known to all of you and to all of the people of Israel, that in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God has raised from the dead, by him, this man stands before you, healthy11He is the stone, which was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner12And there is no salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, by which it is necessary for us to be saved.
John
1After this, Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. And he manifested himself in this way2These were together: Simon Peter and Thomas, who is called the Twin, and Nathanael, who was from Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples3Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "And we are going with you." And they went and climbed into the ship. And in that night, they caught nothing4But when morning arrived, Jesus stood on the shore. Yet the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus5Then Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any food?" They answered him, "No.6He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the ship, and you will find some." Therefore, they cast it out, and then they were not able to draw it in, because of the multitude of fish7Therefore, the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." Simon Peter, when he had heard that it was the Lord, wrapped his tunic around himself, (for he was naked) and he cast himself into the sea8Then the other disciples arrived in a boat, (for they were not far from the land, only about two hundred cubits) dragging the net with the fish9Then, when they climbed down to the land they saw burning coals prepared, and fish already placed above them, and bread10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just now caught.11Simon Peter climbed up and drew in the net to land: full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn12Jesus said to them, "Approach and dine." And not one of them sitting down to eat dared to ask him, "Who are you?" For they knew that it was the Lord13And Jesus approached, and he took bread, and he gave it to them, and similarly with the fish14This was now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he had resurrected from the dead
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the power of faith and obedience to God’s will, even in the face of challenges and uncertainties. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and John are arrested for preaching about Jesus, but Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declares that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. This moment highlights the courage and conviction of the early disciples, who risked persecution to spread the Good News. The context of this passage is the early Christian Church, where believers faced opposition from religious and political authorities. Despite this, the apostles remained steadfast, trusting in God’s plan and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide them.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection. This passage from John emphasizes Jesus’ continued presence and care for his followers, even after his death. The disciples, struggling to catch fish, are reminded of Jesus’ power and provision when he guides them to cast their nets once more. The miraculous catch of fish and the shared meal on the shore symbolize the abundance and renewal that come from trusting in God’s will. This story invites us to reflect on how Jesus continues to work in our lives, often in unexpected ways, and how our obedience to his guidance can lead to spiritual and emotional abundance.
These readings encourage us to trust in God’s plan, even when we face difficulties or uncertainties. Like Peter and John, we are called to be bold in sharing our faith and living according to God’s will. Like the disciples, we are reminded that Jesus is always with us, guiding us and providing for us, even when we feel lost or unsuccessful. Let us ask for the courage to trust in God’s plan and the grace to obey his will, knowing that He will bring us to a place of spiritual abundance and renewal.