Daily Readings - Sat Apr 20 2019
Genesis
1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.29And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.30And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Romans
3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.7For he that is dead is freed from sin.8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Mark
1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.2And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.3And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?4And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.5And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.7But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.8And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey from creation to resurrection, exploring themes of identity, transformation, and divine promise. Genesis reminds us that we are created in God's image, entrusted with stewardship of the earth, highlighting our inherent dignity and purpose. This creation narrative sets the stage for understanding our role in God's plan.
The second reading from Romans bridges creation with redemption, explaining that through baptism, we die to sin and rise anew in Christ. This spiritual rebirth mirrors Christ's resurrection, as described in Mark's Gospel, where the empty tomb signifies victory over death. The women's fear and silence at the tomb contrast with the triumph of the resurrection, inviting us to trust in God's power even in uncertain times.
In daily life, these readings urge us to embrace our divine image, live transformed by baptism, and find hope in God's promises. The resurrection calls us to purposeful living, trusting that God's power can overcome any darkness. Let us carry this hope forward, living as new creations in Christ, with faith and trust in His enduring promises.