Daily Readings - Sat May 03 2025
1 Corinthians
1And so I make known to you, brothers, the Gospel that I preached to you, which you also received, and on which you stand2By the Gospel, too, you are being saved, if you hold to the understanding that I preached to you, lest you believe in vain3For I handed on to you, first of all, what I also received: that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures4and that he was buried; and that he rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures5and that he was seen by Cephas, and after that by the eleven6Next he was seen by more than five hundred brothers at one time, many of whom remain, even to the present time, although some have fallen asleep7Next, he was seen by James, then by all the Apostles8And last of all, he was seen also by me, as if I were someone born at the wrong time
John
6Jesus said to him: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me7If you had known me, certainly you would also have known my Father. And from now on, you shall know him, and you have seen him.8Philip said to him, "Lord, reveal the Father to us, and it is enough for us.9Jesus said to him: "Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me? Philip, whoever sees me, also sees the Father. How can you say, ‘Reveal the Father to us?10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I am speaking to you, I do not speak from myself. But the Father abiding in me, he does these works11Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me12Or else, believe because of these same works. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me shall also do the works that I do. And greater things than these shall he do, for I go to the Father13And whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son14If you shall ask anything of me in my name, that I will do
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the heart of our Christian faith: the resurrection of Christ and the profound truth that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 emphasizes the centrality of the Gospel message. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Good News he preached to them—the death and resurrection of Christ for our sins, as foretold in the Scriptures. He lists the eyewitnesses who saw the risen Lord, including Cephas, the eleven apostles, and even Paul himself. This passage underscores the historical and theological foundation of our faith: Christ’s victory over death is not a myth but a reality witnessed by many, and it is the very reason we stand as believers today.
The Gospel from John 14:6-14 deepens this message. Jesus declares, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This bold statement is both a revelation and a challenge. Jesus is not merely a teacher or a moral guide; He is the very embodiment of God’s love and truth. When Philip asks to see the Father, Jesus responds that seeing Him is seeing the Father, for He and the Father are one. This passage invites us to contemplate the mystery of the Trinity and the intimate union between the Father and the Son. It also calls us to trust in Jesus’ words and works, for they are not His own but flow from the Father who dwells within Him.
These readings are deeply connected. The resurrection of Christ, which Paul proclaims, is the ultimate proof of Jesus’ divinity and the fulfillment of the Father’s plan. Jesus’ words in John 14 remind us that the resurrection is not just an event in history but a living reality that transforms our lives. Through faith in Christ, we are united to the Father and empowered to do even greater works than Jesus did. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we truly believe that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Do we live in a way that reflects this belief? May we allow the risen Christ to guide us, to fill us with His truth, and to lead us to the Father. In Him, we find hope, purpose, and eternal life.