Daily Readings - Sun Apr 19 2020
Acts
42And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.44And all who believed were together and had all things in common.45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
1 Peter
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,5who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,7so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.8Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,9obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
John
19On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.23If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld."24Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."26Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."28Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the life of faith, hope, and community that define us as followers of Christ. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community living in profound unity, sharing resources, and gathering regularly for prayer and the breaking of bread. This was not just a social arrangement but a spiritual way of life rooted in their shared faith in the risen Lord. Their perseverance in the face of challenges and their joy in simplicity of heart remind us that the Christian life is meant to be lived with radical generosity and love.
The second reading from 1 Peter deepens this theme by focusing on the hope that comes from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter reminds us that our inheritance is incorruptible and reserved for us in heaven, but this hope is not without its trials. Just as gold is tested by fire, our faith is purified through suffering. This does not mean we should seek suffering, but rather that we should trust in God’s plan and find joy in the midst of it, knowing that our ultimate salvation is secure.
In the Gospel, John 20, we encounter the risen Jesus appearing to his disciples and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. This moment is the foundation of our faith and mission as Christians. The story of Thomas, often misunderstood as a skeptic, actually reveals the depth of faith. Thomas’s demand to see and touch the wounds of Christ is not a sign of doubt but a desire to fully embrace the truth. Jesus’ response, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” speaks directly to us today. We are called to live by faith, trusting in God’s presence even when we cannot see him.
These readings together remind us that the Christian life is one of community, hope, and faith. Like the early Church, we are called to live with generosity, unity, and perseverance. Like Thomas, we are invited to move beyond doubt to a deeper trust in God’s plan. And like the disciples, we are sent forth with the Holy Spirit to share the Good News with the world. Let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my faith in my daily life? Am I trusting in God’s plan even when the road is uncertain? May we, like the early Christians, find joy in simplicity, hope in trials, and faith in the unseen, knowing that the risen Christ is always with us.