Daily Readings - Sun May 14 2017
1 Peter
4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,5you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."7So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"8and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense."They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
John
1"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.2In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.4And you know the way to where I am going."5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. 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.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.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of our identity as followers of Christ and the profound relationship we share with God. The second reading from 1 Peter describes us as “living stones,” built upon the cornerstone of Christ, forming a spiritual house and a holy priesthood. This passage emphasizes that we are not just individuals but a community called to offer spiritual sacrifices and to proclaim the virtues of God, who has brought us out of darkness into his marvelous light. The Gospel from John further deepens this understanding, as Jesus assures his disciples—and us—that he is preparing a place for us in his Father’s house. He reveals himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the only path to the Father. This revelation is not just an intellectual truth but a living, transformative reality that shapes how we understand ourselves and our purpose in the world.
The readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize our identity as God’s chosen people and our dependence on Christ. In 1 Peter, we are called to live out our faith in a way that reflects our union with Christ, the living stone. In John’s Gospel, Jesus underscores that this union is not merely symbolic but deeply personal and relational. He is the Way, meaning that our journey toward God is not about our own efforts but about trusting in him. He is the Truth, meaning that our understanding of the world and ourselves must be rooted in his revelation. He is the Life, meaning that our very existence finds its ultimate meaning and purpose in him. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we are living out this identity and relationship in our daily lives.
As we apply these readings to our lives, let us ask ourselves: Am I living as a “living stone,” contributing to the spiritual house that is the Church? Am I trusting in Christ as the Way, even when the path is uncertain? Am I allowing his Truth to shape my thoughts, words, and actions? Am I living as one who has been brought out of darkness into his marvelous light? The moral lesson here is clear: our identity and purpose are rooted in Christ. We are called to be his presence in the world, to proclaim his virtues, and to trust in his promise of eternal life. May we embrace this call with faith, hope, and love, knowing that we are not alone but are part of a holy priesthood, a chosen generation, and a people set apart for God’s glory.