Daily Readings - Fri Apr 14 2023
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 obedience to God’s will, even in the face of challenges and uncertainties. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and John are arrested for preaching about Jesus, but Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declares that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. This moment highlights the courage and conviction of the early disciples, who risked persecution to spread the Good News. The context of this passage is the early Christian Church, where believers faced opposition from religious and political authorities. Despite this, the apostles remained steadfast, trusting in God’s plan and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide them.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection. This passage from John emphasizes Jesus’ continued presence and care for his followers, even after his death. The disciples, struggling to catch fish, are reminded of Jesus’ power and provision when he guides them to cast their nets once more. The miraculous catch of fish and the shared meal on the shore symbolize the abundance and renewal that come from trusting in God’s will. This story invites us to reflect on how Jesus continues to work in our lives, often in unexpected ways, and how our obedience to his guidance can lead to spiritual and emotional abundance.
These readings encourage us to trust in God’s plan, even when we face difficulties or uncertainties. Like Peter and John, we are called to be bold in sharing our faith and living according to God’s will. Like the disciples, we are reminded that Jesus is always with us, guiding us and providing for us, even when we feel lost or unsuccessful. Let us ask for the courage to trust in God’s plan and the grace to obey his will, knowing that He will bring us to a place of spiritual abundance and renewal.