Daily Readings - Sun May 14 2017
Second Reading - 1 Peter 2.4-9
1 Peter
4And approaching him as if he were a living stone, rejected by men, certainly, but elect and honored by God5be also yourselves like living stones, built upon him, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, so as to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ6Because of this, Scripture asserts: "Behold, I am setting in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious. And whoever will have believed in him will not be confounded.7Therefore, to you who believe, he is honor. But to those who do not believe, the stone which the builders have rejected, the same has been made into the head of the corner8and a stone of offense, and a rock of scandal, to those who are offended by the Word; neither do they believe, though they also have been built upon him9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, an acquired people, so that you may announce the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light
Gospel - John 14.1-12
John
1"Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also2In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. If there were not, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will return again, and then I will take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be4And you know where I am going. And you know the way.5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?6Jesus said to him: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me7If you had known me, certainly you would also have known my Father. And from now on, you shall know him, and you have seen him.8Philip said to him, "Lord, reveal the Father to us, and it is enough for us.9Jesus said to him: "Have I been with you for so long, and you have not known me? Philip, whoever sees me, also sees the Father. How can you say, ‘Reveal the Father to us?10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I am speaking to you, I do not speak from myself. But the Father abiding in me, he does these works11Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me12Or else, believe because of these same works. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me shall also do the works that I do. And greater things than these shall he do, for I go to the Father
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of our identity as followers of Christ and the profound relationship we share with God. The second reading from 1 Peter describes us as “living stones,” built upon the cornerstone of Christ, forming a spiritual house and a holy priesthood. This passage emphasizes that we are not just individuals but a community called to offer spiritual sacrifices and to proclaim the virtues of God, who has brought us out of darkness into his marvelous light. The Gospel from John further deepens this understanding, as Jesus assures his disciples—and us—that he is preparing a place for us in his Father’s house. He reveals himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the only path to the Father. This revelation is not just an intellectual truth but a living, transformative reality that shapes how we understand ourselves and our purpose in the world.
The readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize our identity as God’s chosen people and our dependence on Christ. In 1 Peter, we are called to live out our faith in a way that reflects our union with Christ, the living stone. In John’s Gospel, Jesus underscores that this union is not merely symbolic but deeply personal and relational. He is the Way, meaning that our journey toward God is not about our own efforts but about trusting in him. He is the Truth, meaning that our understanding of the world and ourselves must be rooted in his revelation. He is the Life, meaning that our very existence finds its ultimate meaning and purpose in him. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we are living out this identity and relationship in our daily lives.
As we apply these readings to our lives, let us ask ourselves: Am I living as a “living stone,” contributing to the spiritual house that is the Church? Am I trusting in Christ as the Way, even when the path is uncertain? Am I allowing his Truth to shape my thoughts, words, and actions? Am I living as one who has been brought out of darkness into his marvelous light? The moral lesson here is clear: our identity and purpose are rooted in Christ. We are called to be his presence in the world, to proclaim his virtues, and to trust in his promise of eternal life. May we embrace this call with faith, hope, and love, knowing that we are not alone but are part of a holy priesthood, a chosen generation, and a people set apart for God’s glory.