Daily Readings - Thu Apr 21 2022
Acts
11While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.12When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?13The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.14You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.15You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.17"Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.18But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,20and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.21He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.22For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.23Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'24"Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days.25And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.'26When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."
Luke
35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.38He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"42They gave him a piece of broiled fish,43and he took it and ate it in their presence.44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48You are witnesses of these things.
Sermon
The first reading from Acts and the Gospel from Luke both center on the profound reality of Jesus Christ’s resurrection and its implications for humanity. In Acts, Peter addresses the crowd that has gathered after the healing of the lame man, explaining that the miracle is not the work of human power but the result of faith in Jesus Christ. He calls the people to repentance, emphasizing that the resurrection of Jesus fulfills the promises of the prophets and opens the way for forgiveness and new life. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection, dispelling their fears and doubts by showing them his physical body. He then opens their minds to understand the Scriptures, revealing that his suffering, death, and resurrection were necessary to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. Jesus commissions his disciples to be witnesses of these events, spreading the message of repentance and forgiveness to all nations.
Both readings highlight the connection between faith, understanding, and mission. In Acts, Peter connects the healing miracle to the larger story of salvation, showing how Jesus’ resurrection is the key to understanding God’s plan. In Luke, Jesus himself explains how the Scriptures point to his mission and how his disciples are now called to share this message with the world. Together, these readings emphasize that faith in Jesus Christ is not just an intellectual assent but a lived response that transforms lives and calls us to participate in God’s work of redemption.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we encounter and share the risen Christ. Like the disciples, we may sometimes struggle with doubt or fear, but Jesus meets us in our uncertainty, offering us peace and clarity. Like Peter, we are called to witness to the power of Jesus’ name, whether through acts of love, words of truth, or simply living with integrity. The readings also remind us that repentance and forgiveness are not one-time events but ongoing processes that shape our relationship with God and others. May we, like the first disciples, allow the resurrection of Jesus to transform our minds, hearts, and actions, so that we may bear witness to his love and light in a world that so desperately needs it.