Daily Readings - Wed May 03 2017
First Reading - 1 Corinthians 15.1-8
1 Corinthians
1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Gospel - John 14.6-14
John
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.8Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we delve into the heart of Christian faith, exploring the resurrection and the divine identity of Jesus. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 emphasizes the core of the Gospel—Christ’s death for our sins and his resurrection. Paul underscores the eyewitness accounts of the risen Jesus, reinforcing the historical and theological foundation of our faith. This passage, written to a struggling Corinthian church, reminds us that our faith is rooted in these events, which are not just historical but transformative.
The Gospel from John 14:6-14 presents Jesus during the Last Supper, where he declares himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He assures his disciples that seeing him is seeing the Father, highlighting the unity between him and God. This intimate conversation offers comfort and instruction, reassuring the disciples (and us) that faith in Jesus leads to a profound connection with the Father. Jesus’s promise that believers will do greater works reflects the empowerment through faith and the Holy Spirit.
These readings connect by highlighting the central tenets of Christianity: the resurrection and the divinity of Christ. They remind us that faith in Jesus is not just belief but a lived experience. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in the resurrection and recognize that our actions reflect our connection to Christ. As we navigate life’s challenges, let us embrace this faith, allowing it to transform us and inspire us to serve others in Jesus’s name. May we live in such a way that our lives mirror Christ’s presence within us, leading others to experience God’s love and truth.