Daily Readings - Mon Apr 18 2022
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 the profound truth of the Resurrection and its transformative power. The first reading from Acts presents Peter’s bold declaration to the crowd in Jerusalem, explaining that Jesus’ death and resurrection were part of God’s divine plan. Peter emphasizes that Jesus, though crucified by human hands, was raised by God, fulfilling the promises of Scripture and breaking the bonds of death. This passage highlights the apostles’ newfound courage and clarity in preaching the Gospel after the Resurrection. The Gospel from Matthew, on the other hand, describes the immediate aftermath of the Resurrection. The women, filled with fear and joy, encounter the risen Jesus and are commissioned to tell the disciples the extraordinary news. Meanwhile, the guards, bribed by the religious leaders, spread a false narrative to discredit the Resurrection.
These readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize the reality and impact of the Resurrection. In Acts, Peter’s speech shows how the early Church interpreted the Resurrection as the fulfillment of God’s plan, giving them confidence to proclaim the Gospel. In Matthew, the Resurrection is portrayed as an unstoppable force, even in the face of human opposition. The women’s joy and the guards’ deception remind us that the Resurrection is not just a historical event but a living truth that challenges us to respond with faith or fear.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to the Resurrection. Like the women, we are called to embrace the joy and hope that come from knowing that death has been overcome. Like Peter, we are called to share this truth boldly, even when it is inconvenient or challenging. The Resurrection reminds us that God’s plan is always greater than human schemes, and that truth ultimately prevails over falsehood. Let us allow the power of the Resurrection to transform our lives, filling us with courage, hope, and a deep trust in God’s plan.