Daily Readings - Sat Apr 21 2018
Acts
31So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.32Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.33There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.34And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose.35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.36Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.37In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay."39So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.40But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.41And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
John
53So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.60When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"61But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.64But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)65And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."66After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.67So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,69and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful stories of faith and transformation. The first reading from Acts describes the early Church's peace and growth, as Peter performs miracles that bring people to faith. The healing of Aeneas and the raising of Tabitha demonstrate God's power and Peter's compassionate leadership. These events highlight the Church's role in caring for the vulnerable and spreading the Gospel. The Gospel reading from John presents Jesus' challenging teaching on the Eucharist, which causes some disciples to doubt. Yet, Peter's unwavering faith stands out as he affirms Jesus as the Son of God, showing that true followers remain committed despite difficulties.
Both readings emphasize the transformative power of faith. In Acts, faith leads to miracles and community growth, while in John, faith requires accepting challenging truths. The connection between the readings lies in their portrayal of faith as a catalyst for action and commitment. Peter's miracles and the disciples' decision to stay with Jesus illustrate that faith is not passive but leads to bold steps and perseverance.
Applying these lessons to our lives, we are reminded to trust in God's power and to live compassionately. Like Peter, we should use our gifts to serve others and bring hope. When faced with challenges, we must, like the apostles, reaffirm our commitment to Christ. The Eucharist, as Jesus taught, is a source of life, urging us to deepen our faith and trust in God's plan. Let us embrace the call to live faithfully, knowing that our trust in God can lead to transformation and renewal in our lives and the world around us.