Daily Readings - Sat Apr 16 2022
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.
Luke
1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"8Then they remembered his words.9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Sermon
The readings today take us on a journey from creation to resurrection, reminding us of God’s plan for humanity and our ultimate hope in Christ. In the first reading, we hear the story of creation, where God forms humanity in his own image and gives us dominion over the earth. This passage emphasizes our dignity as creatures made for a purpose and our responsibility to care for the world around us. The second reading from Romans connects this creation narrative to our life in Christ, explaining how through baptism, we are united with Christ’s death and resurrection. We are called to leave behind our old selves and live in the newness of life, free from the grip of sin. Finally, the Gospel from Luke recounts the discovery of the empty tomb, a moment of confusion and wonder that leads to faith. The women’s words seem like a delusion to the disciples, but Peter’s curiosity and investigation lead him to the truth of the resurrection.
These readings are deeply intertwined. The creation story establishes our identity as God’s beloved creatures, while Romans reveals how that identity is transformed through Christ. The Gospel, then, is the culmination of this transformation, as Christ’s resurrection opens the door to eternal life. Together, they remind us that we are not just passive observers in God’s plan but active participants, called to live in the light of this truth.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How are we living out our dignity as God’s image-bearers? Are we caring for creation and one another with the love and responsibility that comes with this calling? Are we embracing the new life offered through Christ, leaving behind sin and living for God? And when faced with confusion or doubt, do we, like Peter, seek the truth with courage and openness? May we allow the resurrection to transform our lives, filling us with hope and purpose as we strive to live as children of God.