Daily Readings - Wed May 03 2023
1 Corinthians
1Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,2and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
John
6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.12"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.13Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the heart of our Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His unique relationship with the Father. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes the central message of the Gospel—that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. This is not just a historical event but the very foundation of our faith. Without the resurrection, our belief would be in vain. Paul also reminds us that Christ appeared to many witnesses after His resurrection, including Peter, the other apostles, and even Paul himself, who encountered the risen Lord in a dramatic conversion. This serves as a powerful reminder that the resurrection is not just a story but a transformative reality that shapes our lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples in a moment of deep intimacy and truth. He declares, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." These words are both a revelation and a challenge. Jesus is not just a teacher or a prophet; He is the very embodiment of God’s love and truth. When Philip asks to see the Father, Jesus responds by saying that whoever sees Him sees the Father, because He and the Father are one. This passage invites us to reflect on our relationship with Jesus and how deeply we trust in His words and works. Just as the apostles came to know the Father through Jesus, we too are called to live in union with God through faith in Christ.
These readings call us to live our faith with confidence and hope. The resurrection of Christ assures us that death does not have the final word, and that God’s love is stronger than any darkness. At the same time, Jesus’ words remind us that our relationship with God is personal and intimate. We are not just followers of a doctrine but children of the Father, united to Him through Christ. In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Do we truly believe in the power of the resurrection? Do we see Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Let us strive to live in such a way that our actions reflect our faith, and may we, like the apostles, be witnesses to the transformative power of Christ’s love.