Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 3, 2023
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.1-8
1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Psalm 19
1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.12Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Gospel: John 14.6-14
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.8Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the heart of our Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His unique relationship with the Father. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes the central message of the Gospel—that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. This is not just a historical event but the very foundation of our faith. Without the resurrection, our belief would be in vain. Paul also reminds us that Christ appeared to many witnesses after His resurrection, including Peter, the other apostles, and even Paul himself, who encountered the risen Lord in a dramatic conversion. This serves as a powerful reminder that the resurrection is not just a story but a transformative reality that shapes our lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples in a moment of deep intimacy and truth. He declares, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." These words are both a revelation and a challenge. Jesus is not just a teacher or a prophet; He is the very embodiment of God’s love and truth. When Philip asks to see the Father, Jesus responds by saying that whoever sees Him sees the Father, because He and the Father are one. This passage invites us to reflect on our relationship with Jesus and how deeply we trust in His words and works. Just as the apostles came to know the Father through Jesus, we too are called to live in union with God through faith in Christ.
These readings call us to live our faith with confidence and hope. The resurrection of Christ assures us that death does not have the final word, and that God’s love is stronger than any darkness. At the same time, Jesus’ words remind us that our relationship with God is personal and intimate. We are not just followers of a doctrine but children of the Father, united to Him through Christ. In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Do we truly believe in the power of the resurrection? Do we see Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Let us strive to live in such a way that our actions reflect our faith, and may we, like the apostles, be witnesses to the transformative power of Christ’s love.