Daily Readings - Fri Apr 26 2019
Acts
1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.3They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.4But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.5The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family.7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed,10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.11He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. '12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
John
1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way:2Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.3"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?No," they answered.6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the power of faith and the importance of trusting in God’s plan. In the First Reading from Acts, we see Peter and the apostles standing courageously before the authorities, refusing to back down from preaching the Gospel. Despite the threats and intimidation, they remain steadfast, knowing that their message of salvation through Jesus Christ is true. This scene highlights the early Church’s commitment to spreading the Good News, even in the face of opposition.
In the Gospel, we find the disciples back by the Sea of Tiberias, struggling to catch fish throughout the night. It isn’t until Jesus appears and guides them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat that they experience an abundant catch. This miraculous catch is not just about providing food; it’s a reminder of Jesus’ presence and guidance in their lives. Just as the disciples had to trust in Jesus’ instructions to find success, we too must trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
These readings teach us that faith and obedience go hand in hand. Just as Peter and the apostles trusted in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide their words, and just as the disciples trusted Jesus’ instruction to cast their nets, we are called to trust in God’s providence in our own lives. When we face challenges or uncertainties, we must remember that God is always with us, guiding us toward His will. Let us strive to live with the same courage and trust as the early disciples, knowing that through faith, we can overcome any obstacle and find true fulfillment in following Christ.