Daily Readings - Wed May 03 2017
1 Corinthians
1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
John
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we delve into the heart of Christian faith, exploring the resurrection and the divine identity of Jesus. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 emphasizes the core of the Gospel—Christ’s death for our sins and his resurrection. Paul underscores the eyewitness accounts of the risen Jesus, reinforcing the historical and theological foundation of our faith. This passage, written to a struggling Corinthian church, reminds us that our faith is rooted in these events, which are not just historical but transformative.
The Gospel from John 14:6-14 presents Jesus during the Last Supper, where he declares himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He assures his disciples that seeing him is seeing the Father, highlighting the unity between him and God. This intimate conversation offers comfort and instruction, reassuring the disciples (and us) that faith in Jesus leads to a profound connection with the Father. Jesus’s promise that believers will do greater works reflects the empowerment through faith and the Holy Spirit.
These readings connect by highlighting the central tenets of Christianity: the resurrection and the divinity of Christ. They remind us that faith in Jesus is not just belief but a lived experience. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in the resurrection and recognize that our actions reflect our connection to Christ. As we navigate life’s challenges, let us embrace this faith, allowing it to transform us and inspire us to serve others in Jesus’s name. May we live in such a way that our lives mirror Christ’s presence within us, leading others to experience God’s love and truth.