Daily Readings - Sun Apr 16 2023
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, the power of community, and the enduring presence of God in our lives. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community living in harmony, sharing resources, and gathering regularly for prayer and the breaking of bread. This was a time of great joy and simplicity, yet also of challenges and trials. The believers were not immune to suffering, but their faith sustained them, and they found strength in their unity and their trust in God. The second reading from 1 Peter reminds us that our faith is a gift from God, rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is through faith that we inherit an eternal and incorruptible inheritance, one that is guarded by God’s power. Even when we face trials, we are called to rejoice because these trials refine our faith, making it more precious than gold. Finally, in the Gospel, we encounter Thomas, who struggled with doubt after the resurrection. Jesus’ encounter with Thomas reminds us that faith is not about seeing but about trusting in what we cannot see. Jesus’ words to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” are a timeless invitation to all of us to deepen our faith, even when the road ahead seems uncertain.
These readings are deeply interconnected. The early Christian community in Acts is the fruit of the mission Jesus entrusted to his disciples, as seen in the Gospel. The believers in Acts lived out their faith in practical ways, sharing their resources and supporting one another, just as Jesus had taught them. The second reading from 1 Peter provides the theological foundation for understanding why the early Christians could live with such hope and joy despite their trials. Their faith was rooted in the resurrection of Jesus, which gave them confidence in God’s ultimate triumph over suffering and death. The story of Thomas, meanwhile, reminds us that faith is not always easy. Doubt can creep in, but Jesus is patient and gracious, offering us the opportunity to grow in faith even when we stumble.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded of the importance of living in community and supporting one another, just as the early Christians did. We are also called to trust in God’s plan, even when we face challenges or uncertainties. Like Thomas, we may struggle with doubt at times, but Jesus invites us to move beyond our fears and to place our trust in him. The moral lesson here is clear: faith is not about having all the answers but about surrendering to God’s love and trusting in his presence, even when we cannot see the way ahead. Let us strive to live with the same hope and joy as the early Christians, knowing that our faith is a gift from God, and that he is always with us, guiding us toward eternal life.