Daily Readings - Sun Apr 23 2023
Acts
14But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.22"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know--23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.25For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
1 Peter
17And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,18knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake,21who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Luke
13That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,14and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.15While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.17And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.18Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"19And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,20and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.22Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,23and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."25And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.28So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,29but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.30When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.31And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.32They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"33And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,34saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Sermon
The readings today guide us through a journey of faith, from proclamation to personal encounter. In Acts, Peter proclaims Jesus's resurrection, using Scripture to show it was part of God's plan. In 1 Peter, we are reminded of our redemption through Christ's blood, urging us to live with reverence. The Gospel from Luke illustrates the disciples' transformation from doubt to recognition of Jesus through His teaching and the Eucharist.
These readings connect by emphasizing the resurrection's significance. Acts and 1 Peter focus on proclamation and living out faith, while Luke highlights personal encounter. They remind us that faith is rooted in Scripture and sacrament, and living with hope and awe is essential.
In daily life, we may feel lost like the Emmaus disciples, but through Scripture and the Eucharist, we can encounter Christ. Let us seek Him in these ways, living with the hope and reverence that our redemption through Christ brings.