Daily Readings - Wed May 03 2017
1 Corinthians
1Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,2and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
John
6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.12"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.13Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we delve into the heart of Christian faith, exploring the resurrection and the divine identity of Jesus. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 emphasizes the core of the Gospel—Christ’s death for our sins and his resurrection. Paul underscores the eyewitness accounts of the risen Jesus, reinforcing the historical and theological foundation of our faith. This passage, written to a struggling Corinthian church, reminds us that our faith is rooted in these events, which are not just historical but transformative.
The Gospel from John 14:6-14 presents Jesus during the Last Supper, where he declares himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He assures his disciples that seeing him is seeing the Father, highlighting the unity between him and God. This intimate conversation offers comfort and instruction, reassuring the disciples (and us) that faith in Jesus leads to a profound connection with the Father. Jesus’s promise that believers will do greater works reflects the empowerment through faith and the Holy Spirit.
These readings connect by highlighting the central tenets of Christianity: the resurrection and the divinity of Christ. They remind us that faith in Jesus is not just belief but a lived experience. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in the resurrection and recognize that our actions reflect our connection to Christ. As we navigate life’s challenges, let us embrace this faith, allowing it to transform us and inspire us to serve others in Jesus’s name. May we live in such a way that our lives mirror Christ’s presence within us, leading others to experience God’s love and truth.