Daily Readings - Sun Apr 09 2023
Acts
34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
First Reading - Colossians 3.1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5.6b-8
Colossians
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
1 Corinthians
6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
John
1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.3Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Sermon
Today’s readings guide us through a journey of faith, resurrection, and the universal call to salvation. In Acts, Peter proclaims that God shows no favoritism, emphasizing that Jesus's message is for all people. This sermon to Cornelius, a Gentile, marks a significant moment in the early Church, illustrating that salvation is intended for everyone. In Colossians, Paul encourages believers to set their sights on heavenly things, reminding us that our true life is hidden with Christ, and we will share in His glory when He appears. The Gospel of John recounts the discovery of the empty tomb, a pivotal moment where belief in the resurrection begins, even before the disciples fully understand the Scriptures.
These readings interweave the themes of resurrection and its implications. The empty tomb in John signifies the reality of Jesus's resurrection, a foundation of our faith. Peter's sermon in Acts extends this message to all people, highlighting the inclusive nature of God's love. Colossians then calls us to live with a heavenly perspective, knowing our life is in Christ. Together, they remind us that the resurrection is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that shapes our daily lives.
As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to live with the hope of resurrection, focusing on eternal truths rather than earthly concerns. This hope compels us to share the message of Jesus without discrimination, embracing all people. Let us live as those who have been resurrected with Christ, seeking the things above and trusting in the transformative power of our faith. May our lives reflect the glory of the risen Lord, as we await the day when we will appear with Him in glory.