Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 3, 2023
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15.1-8
1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Psalm 19
1The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.3There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.4Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,5which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.6It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.8The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.9The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.10They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.11By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.12Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.13Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Gospel: John 14.6-14
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the heart of our Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His unique relationship with the Father. In the first reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes the central message of the Gospel—that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. This is not just a historical event but the very foundation of our faith. Without the resurrection, our belief would be in vain. Paul also reminds us that Christ appeared to many witnesses after His resurrection, including Peter, the other apostles, and even Paul himself, who encountered the risen Lord in a dramatic conversion. This serves as a powerful reminder that the resurrection is not just a story but a transformative reality that shapes our lives.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples in a moment of deep intimacy and truth. He declares, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." These words are both a revelation and a challenge. Jesus is not just a teacher or a prophet; He is the very embodiment of God’s love and truth. When Philip asks to see the Father, Jesus responds by saying that whoever sees Him sees the Father, because He and the Father are one. This passage invites us to reflect on our relationship with Jesus and how deeply we trust in His words and works. Just as the apostles came to know the Father through Jesus, we too are called to live in union with God through faith in Christ.
These readings call us to live our faith with confidence and hope. The resurrection of Christ assures us that death does not have the final word, and that God’s love is stronger than any darkness. At the same time, Jesus’ words remind us that our relationship with God is personal and intimate. We are not just followers of a doctrine but children of the Father, united to Him through Christ. In our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Do we truly believe in the power of the resurrection? Do we see Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Let us strive to live in such a way that our actions reflect our faith, and may we, like the apostles, be witnesses to the transformative power of Christ’s love.