Daily Readings - Mon Apr 13 2020
Acts
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.22"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.25David said about him: "'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,27because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'29"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
Matthew
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.12When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,13telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.'14If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."15So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives centered on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Acts captures Peter's impassioned speech, where he connects the resurrection to the fulfillment of God's plan and David's prophecy. This moment in the early church highlights the apostle's role in proclaiming the Gospel, emphasizing that Jesus's resurrection was not an accident but a divine act. The second reading from Matthew vividly describes the immediate aftermath of the resurrection, focusing on the women's joy and the guards' bribery to conceal the truth. This narrative underscores the tension between the truth of the resurrection and the attempts to suppress it.
Both readings are set in the context of the post-resurrection era, each offering a unique perspective. Acts is situated in the early days of the church, where Peter addresses a Jewish audience, linking Jesus to their scriptural heritage. Matthew's account is more immediate, detailing the events right after the resurrection and the ensuing cover-up. These narratives connect thematically through their focus on the resurrection's impact and the spread of the Gospel despite opposition.
Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded of the hope and courage the resurrection brings. Just as the early disciples faced challenges with faith, we too can confront life's struggles with trust in God's plan. The readings encourage us to embrace our role as witnesses, spreading the Good News even in the face of adversity. The moral lesson here is one of trust and testimony: trust in God's plan and the courage to share our faith, knowing that truth ultimately prevails. Let us, like the early disciples, find the strength to proclaim the risen Christ in our lives.