Daily Readings - Wed Apr 20 2022
Acts
1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.2And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;3Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.8And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.9And all the people saw him walking and praising God:10And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
Luke
13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.14And they talked together of all these things which had happened.15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of faith and the presence of God in our lives. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth at the temple gate. While the man asks for alms, Peter offers something far greater: healing in the name of Jesus Christ. This miracle not only restores the man’s physical ability to walk but also brings him into the temple, where he praises God alongside Peter and John. The scene reminds us that true healing comes from God and that faith can move mountains.
In the Gospel, we hear the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Still reeling from the events of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, they are met with confusion and doubt. Jesus joins them on their journey, but they do not recognize him until he breaks bread with them. This moment of recognition—when their eyes are opened—reflects the deeper truth that God often reveals himself in the simplest and most ordinary moments of life. Just as the disciples’ hearts burned within them as Jesus interpreted the Scriptures, we too are called to seek God in the everyday, trusting that he is always with us.
These readings encourage us to trust in God’s power to transform our lives, just as he transformed the lame man and opened the eyes of the disciples. Let us approach each day with faith, seeking to recognize God’s presence in the people we meet, the challenges we face, and the moments of grace that unfold before us. May we, like the lame man and the disciples, experience the joy of encountering Christ and may our hearts burn with love and gratitude for his presence in our lives.