Daily Readings - Thu May 03 2018
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 are reminded of the cornerstone of our faith and the profound relationship we share with God through Christ. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 15 emphasizes the resurrection of Christ as the foundation of our belief. Paul underscores that Christ's death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day are not just historical events but the very essence of the Gospel. This resurrection is witnessed by many, including Paul himself, reinforcing its reality and significance. The second reading from John 14 highlights Jesus' declaration that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that seeing Him is seeing the Father. Jesus also speaks of believers doing greater works than He did, through the power of the Father.
The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the early Christian community's need for assurance and understanding. Paul's letter to the Corinthians addresses a community grappling with doubts about the resurrection, while John's Gospel provides a intimate conversation where Jesus reassures His disciples of His unity with the Father. Together, these readings connect the resurrection's power with the empowerment we receive through our unity with Christ, enabling us to live out our faith actively.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to trust in the transformative power of the resurrection and to embrace our role as instruments of God's work. Just as Christ was seen by many after His resurrection, we are called to make Him visible through our actions. By living in unity with God, we can perform greater works, not through our own strength, but through the grace and power of the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is not just for grand deeds but for the everyday moments where we choose love, kindness, and service.
As we reflect on these readings, let us embrace the hope and empowerment they offer. May we live each day with the confidence that we are in God and God is in us, trusting in His power to guide and strengthen us. Let us strive to be the hands and feet of Christ, bringing His love and light into the world. In doing so, we not only glorify God but also become living testimonies of the resurrection's power and the enduring truth of Jesus' words.