Daily Readings - Sun Apr 18 2021
Acts
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.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,
1 John
1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.2He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.3And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.4Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,5but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him:
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
In today’s readings, we encounter profound truths about God’s plan of salvation, the call to repentance, and the enduring power of faith. The first reading from Acts finds Peter addressing the people of Jerusalem, urging them to recognize their role in the death of Jesus. Yet, he quickly shifts from accusation to hope, explaining that their actions, though misguided, fulfilled God’s plan. Peter calls them to repentance, promising that their sins can be wiped away through conversion. This passage reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God’s mercy is always available.
The second reading from 1 John deepens this message, emphasizing Jesus’ role as our Advocate before the Father. John reminds us that while we may sin, Jesus’ sacrifice covers not only our sins but those of the entire world. However, this gift of forgiveness is not without expectation. John stresses that true knowledge of God is demonstrated by obedience to His commandments. This reading challenges us to examine our lives: do our actions reflect our faith, or are we merely paying lip service to God’s love?
In the Gospel, Luke recounts the moment when Jesus appears to His disciples after the resurrection. Despite their fear and disbelief, Jesus offers them peace and proof of His bodily presence. He then opens their minds to understand the Scriptures, showing how His suffering, death, and resurrection were all part of God’s plan. This passage invites us to reflect on how we encounter Jesus in our own lives—through prayer, Scripture, and the breaking of bread—and how these encounters should transform us.
These readings, when taken together, offer a powerful message about the interconnectedness of sin, forgiveness, and faith. They remind us that while we are all capable of failing God, His mercy is boundless. Yet, this mercy calls us to action: to repent, to obey, and to live as witnesses of the risen Christ. As we go about our daily lives, may we embrace this call, allowing the love and forgiveness of God to shape our choices and transform our hearts. Let us strive to live in such a way that our lives become a testament to the power of God’s grace, just as the early disciples bore witness to the resurrection.