Daily Readings - Thu Apr 16 2020
Acts
11While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's, astounded.12And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.14But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.16And his name--by faith in his name--has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.17"And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.18But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.19Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,20that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,21whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.22Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.23And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'24And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.25You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'26God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness."
Luke
35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.36As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"37But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.38And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?39See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.41And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"42They gave him a piece of broiled fish,43and he took it and ate before them.44Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,46and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.48You are witnesses of these things.
Sermon
Today’s readings from Acts and Luke guide us through moments of transformation and understanding, inviting us to reflect on faith, repentance, and God’s enduring plan. In Acts, Peter addresses a crowd after healing a lame man, attributing the miracle not to himself but to faith in Jesus. He calls the people to repentance, acknowledging their ignorance and highlighting that Jesus’ suffering was part of God’s plan, fulfilling ancient prophecies and promising blessings through Abraham. This scene captures the early church’s boldness and the transition from the old covenant to the new through Jesus.
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus appears to the disciples post-resurrection, easing their fear by showing his physical form and sharing a meal. He explains how his death and resurrection fulfill Scripture, commissioning the disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness. This moment transitions the disciples from fear to understanding, illustrating the importance of faith in comprehending God’s plan.
Both readings emphasize fulfillment of prophecy and the call to repentance. Peter connects Jesus to the prophets, while Jesus in Luke directly ties his actions to Scripture. They highlight faith and understanding amidst confusion. In our lives, this means recognizing when we act from ignorance and seeking alignment with God’s will. Like the disciples, we can move from fear to faith, trusting God’s presence and plan. The moral lesson is clear: embrace faith, seek forgiveness, and witness God’s love. Let us apply these teachings, turning to God with open hearts, trusting in His plan and sharing His forgiveness with the world.