Daily Readings - Sun Apr 01 2018
First Reading - Acts 10.34a, 37-43
Acts
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Second Reading - Colossians 3.1-4
Colossians
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Gospel - John 20.1-9
John
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter the profound message of the resurrection and its transformative power. The first reading from Acts highlights Peter's declaration that Jesus, anointed by God, performed good works, was crucified, and rose on the third day. This resurrection is not just a historical event but a universal message of salvation for all, with Jesus as the judge of the living and the dead. The second reading from Colossians invites us to seek heavenly things, reminding us that our true life is with Christ, hidden in God, and will be revealed in glory. The Gospel from John vividly portrays the discovery of the empty tomb, where the disciples' encounter leads to belief, emphasizing the tangible reality of the resurrection.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of resurrection. Acts proclaims the resurrection as a universal message of hope, Colossians encourages a life focused on eternal values, and John illustrates the moment of belief sparked by the empty tomb. Together, they call us to embrace the resurrection's impact on our daily lives, urging us to live with hope and purpose, knowing that our true life is in Christ.
The moral lesson here is the power of faith and the call to live as people of the resurrection. Just as the disciples were transformed by their encounter, we too are called to live with a heavenly perspective, trusting in God's plan and sharing the message of salvation. Let us embrace this truth, allowing it to transform our lives and guide us in living as children of the light, focused on eternal glory.