Daily Readings - Sat Apr 08 2023
Genesis
1In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.26Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.28And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."29And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.30And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food." And it was so.31And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Romans
3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.6We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.7For one who has died has been set free from sin.8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.9We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.10For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.11So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Matthew
1Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.2And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.4And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.5But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.6He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.7Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you."8So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.9And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through creation, transformation, and resurrection, each offering a profound message about our purpose and identity in God's plan.
The first reading from Genesis reminds us that we are created in God's image, entrusted with dominion over the earth. This passage establishes our role as stewards of creation, highlighting the dignity and responsibility inherent in being human. It sets the stage for understanding our place within God's grand narrative.
The second reading from Romans shifts our focus to transformation through Christ. Baptism unites us with Christ's death and resurrection, signifying the end of our old selves and the beginning of a new life in Him. This transformation calls us to live beyond sin, embracing a life of purpose and service rooted in our union with Christ.
The Gospel from Matthew culminates in the resurrection of Jesus, a pivotal moment that redefines our mission. The empty tomb and Christ's appearance to the women illustrate the triumph over death, offering us hope and a renewed purpose. We are called to spread this Good News, just as the women were, embodying the joy and courage that comes from encountering the risen Christ.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace our identity as children of God, transformed by Christ's resurrection. We are called to steward creation with love, live a life of moral integrity, and share the hope of the Gospel with others. Let us approach each day with the courage and joy that flows from the resurrection, living as witnesses to the transformative power of Christ.