Daily Readings - Sat Mar 31 2018
Genesis
1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.26Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.28God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."29Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.30And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground-everything that has the breath of life in it-I give every green plant for food." And it was so.31God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the sixth day.
Romans
3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Mark
1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb3and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.6"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'"8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey from creation to resurrection, tracing God's plan for humanity. The first reading from Genesis reminds us of our origin as beings created in God's image, entrusted with stewardship over the earth. This passage establishes our role as caretakers, reflecting God's love and wisdom in the world. The second reading from Romans shifts our focus to baptism, where we die to sin and rise anew in Christ. This spiritual rebirth calls us to live a life transformed by faith, no longer bound by sin but alive in God's grace. The Gospel from Mark culminates in the resurrection, where the women discover the empty tomb and receive the joyous news to spread. This moment is the pinnacle of God's plan, offering salvation and hope.
These readings interweave to reveal a narrative of creation, redemption, and mission. Genesis sets the stage with our original purpose, Romans reveals how Christ restores us, and Mark's Gospel commissions us to share this Good News. Together, they show how God's plan unfolds from creation to our call to live as new creations in Christ.
In daily life, this means embracing our role as stewards, living with purpose and integrity. We are called to spread the Gospel, not just in words, but through our actions and love. The resurrection reminds us of the power of faith and the hope it brings. Let us live as children of God, renewed and empowered, sharing the joy of Christ's victory over sin and death.