Daily Readings - Sat May 03 2025
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
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the heart of our Christian faith: the resurrection of Christ and the profound truth that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 emphasizes the centrality of the Gospel message. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Good News he preached to them—the death and resurrection of Christ for our sins, as foretold in the Scriptures. He lists the eyewitnesses who saw the risen Lord, including Cephas, the eleven apostles, and even Paul himself. This passage underscores the historical and theological foundation of our faith: Christ’s victory over death is not a myth but a reality witnessed by many, and it is the very reason we stand as believers today.
The Gospel from John 14:6-14 deepens this message. Jesus declares, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This bold statement is both a revelation and a challenge. Jesus is not merely a teacher or a moral guide; He is the very embodiment of God’s love and truth. When Philip asks to see the Father, Jesus responds that seeing Him is seeing the Father, for He and the Father are one. This passage invites us to contemplate the mystery of the Trinity and the intimate union between the Father and the Son. It also calls us to trust in Jesus’ words and works, for they are not His own but flow from the Father who dwells within Him.
These readings are deeply connected. The resurrection of Christ, which Paul proclaims, is the ultimate proof of Jesus’ divinity and the fulfillment of the Father’s plan. Jesus’ words in John 14 remind us that the resurrection is not just an event in history but a living reality that transforms our lives. Through faith in Christ, we are united to the Father and empowered to do even greater works than Jesus did. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we truly believe that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Do we live in a way that reflects this belief? May we allow the risen Christ to guide us, to fill us with His truth, and to lead us to the Father. In Him, we find hope, purpose, and eternal life.