Daily Readings - Sun Mar 31 2024
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
In today's readings, we encounter the profound message of Easter, a time of renewal and hope. The first reading from Acts highlights Peter's proclamation of Jesus as the universal savior, sent to heal and do good, and the command to preach His resurrection. The second reading from Colossians invites us to set our minds on heavenly things, living a life transformed by our union with the risen Christ. The Gospel from John vividly portrays the discovery of the empty tomb, where the beloved disciple's faith is kindled, though understanding comes later.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of resurrection. Peter's message emphasizes Jesus' role as judge and savior, while Colossians encourages a life focused on eternal values. John's narrative illustrates the moment faith begins, even before full understanding. Together, they remind us that the resurrection is not just an event but a transformative reality.
In our daily lives, this message calls us to live with hope and an eternal perspective. Just as the disciples' encounter with the empty tomb changed their lives, the resurrection invites us to trust in God's plan and embrace a life of faith and transformation. Let us live each day with eyes on eternity, trusting in the power of the resurrection to guide us.