Daily Readings - Fri Apr 09 2021
Acts
1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John
1After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.3Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.8And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.9As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.10Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.11Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.12Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.14This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, courage, and the transformative power of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Acts 4 finds Peter and John standing before the religious authorities, boldly proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus despite the threat of persecution. Peter’s words, filled with the Holy Spirit, remind us that Jesus is the cornerstone of salvation, and there is no other name by which we can be saved. The scene shifts in the Gospel of John 21, where Jesus appears to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, providing a miraculous catch of fish and sharing a meal with them. This intimate encounter reinforces the disciples’ faith and commissions them anew to follow him.
Both readings highlight the tension between faith and doubt, as well as the enduring presence of Jesus in the lives of his followers. In Acts, the early Christian community faces opposition, yet they remain steadfast in their witness to the risen Lord. In John’s Gospel, the disciples, still grappling with the events of the resurrection, are reminded of Jesus’ abiding presence and provision. These stories are not merely historical accounts but living testimonies to the power of faith in overcoming fear and uncertainty.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace the same courage and trust demonstrated by Peter and the disciples. Like them, we may face challenges or doubts, but Jesus’ promise to be with us always remains steadfast. Let us seek to recognize his presence in our lives, just as the disciples recognized him by the shore. May we, too, be transformed by his love and grace, and may we share that love with others, just as Peter and the disciples were sent forth to proclaim the Good News. In Jesus, we find the strength to stand firm in our faith and the assurance that he will provide for us, even in the most uncertain times.