Daily Readings - Mon Apr 13 2020
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives centered on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Acts captures Peter's impassioned speech, where he connects the resurrection to the fulfillment of God's plan and David's prophecy. This moment in the early church highlights the apostle's role in proclaiming the Gospel, emphasizing that Jesus's resurrection was not an accident but a divine act. The second reading from Matthew vividly describes the immediate aftermath of the resurrection, focusing on the women's joy and the guards' bribery to conceal the truth. This narrative underscores the tension between the truth of the resurrection and the attempts to suppress it.
Both readings are set in the context of the post-resurrection era, each offering a unique perspective. Acts is situated in the early days of the church, where Peter addresses a Jewish audience, linking Jesus to their scriptural heritage. Matthew's account is more immediate, detailing the events right after the resurrection and the ensuing cover-up. These narratives connect thematically through their focus on the resurrection's impact and the spread of the Gospel despite opposition.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded of the hope and courage the resurrection brings. Just as the early disciples faced challenges with faith, we too can confront life's struggles with trust in God's plan. The readings encourage us to embrace our role as witnesses, spreading the Good News even in the face of adversity. The moral lesson here is one of trust and testimony: trust in God's plan and the courage to share our faith, knowing that truth ultimately prevails. Let us, like the early disciples, find the strength to proclaim the risen Christ in our lives.