Daily Readings - Sat Apr 20 2024

Acts

31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.32And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.35And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.37And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.38And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.41And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.42And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

John

53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that highlight the transformative power of faith and God's presence in our lives. The First Reading from Acts describes the early Christian community, where peace and growth prevail. Peter, an apostle, performs miracles: healing a paralytic man named Aeneas and raising Tabitha from the dead. These miracles are not just acts of wonder but signs that draw people to faith, illustrating how God's power can bring hope and renewal. The Gospel from John presents Jesus' challenging teaching about the Eucharist, where He speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Many find this difficult, leading some disciples to leave. Yet, Peter's unwavering commitment stands out as he affirms faith in Jesus as the source of eternal life. This passage underscores the Eucharist's significance and the necessity of faith, even when teachings are hard to grasp. Both readings connect through themes of faith and divine presence. In Acts, miracles manifest God's power, while in John, the Eucharist becomes a source of spiritual nourishment. Applying this to our lives, we are reminded to trust in God's plan and recognize His work around us. Like Peter and the early community, we can find strength in our faith, even in challenging times. The moral reflection here is the importance of steadfast commitment and openness to God's grace, allowing us to experience His transformative power daily.