Daily Readings - Mon Apr 22 2019
Acts
14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Matthew
8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.14And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound mystery of Christ’s Resurrection and its implications for our lives. In the first reading from Acts, Peter addresses the crowd in Jerusalem, explaining the events of Jesus’ life, death, and Resurrection. He emphasizes that Jesus’ death was not an accident but part of God’s plan, and his Resurrection is the ultimate triumph over sin and death. Peter also connects Jesus to the prophecy of David, showing that the Resurrection was foretold and is the fulfillment of God’s promise.
In the Gospel, Matthew describes the immediate aftermath of the Resurrection. The women, filled with a mix of fear and joy, encounter the risen Jesus and are instructed to tell the disciples to go to Galilee, where they will see him. Meanwhile, the guards at the tomb are bribed to spread a false story that Jesus’ disciples stole his body. This narrative highlights the contrast between the truth of the Resurrection and the attempts to suppress it, as well as the fear and doubt that often accompany great revelations.
These readings remind us that the Resurrection is not just a historical event but a living reality that transforms our lives. Like the women and the disciples, we are called to move beyond fear and doubt to embrace the joy and hope that come from knowing that Christ has triumphed over death. In our daily lives, we encounter moments of uncertainty and darkness, but the Resurrection assures us that God’s plan is always one of life and redemption. Let us trust in this truth and allow it to guide us, even when the path seems unclear. The Resurrection is not just something we celebrate; it is something we live, for Christ’s victory over death is our victory too.