As we continue our Lenten journey and prepare our hearts for Easter, let’s share in meditating on these daily Bible readings from Sacred Space.
April 1: John 7: 1-2. 10. 25-30
This passage tells of the frustration and rejection that Jesus experienced in his journey to the Cross. He experienced all that we experience, even death.
April 2: John 7: 40-53
This passage reveals the wide range of views among the people as to who Jesus really is. Jesus spoke with integrity, wisdom and authority. People responded in many different ways. How do we respond?
April 3, Fifth Sunday of Lent: John 8: 2-11
In this account, Jesus does not condemn the woman. He says, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” He says to the woman, “Go your way, and from now do not sin again.” Jesus brings forgiveness, new life, empowerment.
April 4: John 8: 12-20
No matter how dark things may seem, I remind myself that darkness can never overpower light. I turn to Christ, the light of the world.
April 5: John 8: 21-30
Jesus was totally in tune with his Father in his thinking and doing. The harmony between them is total. He reveals God to us.
April 6: John 8: 31-47
In this passage the people are quick to defend their religion and their righteousness. Jesus’ replies show them that they have forgotten love and relationship.
April 7: John 8: 51-59
Only by making ourselves vulnerable to our own pain and fear can we make ourselves open to the experience of loving and being loved.
April 8: John 10: 31-42
The people again try to stone Jesus. They condemn Jesus because of their particular image of God. What is my image of God? Do we see God as Pure Love. Have I ever condemned someone because I nursed a warped image of God?
April 9: John 11: 45-56
In this passage we read that the religious leaders called a meeting of the council and said, “If we let Jesus go on teaching like this, everyone will believe in him and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” Caiaphas, the high priest, said, “You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.” From that day on they planned to put Jesus to death. The Passover was near, and they wondered if Jesus would dare to come to Jerusalem for the festival, since his life was in danger.
April 10, Palm Sunday: Luke 22: 14-23:56
As we go through Holy Week, let us look very carefully at Jesus and see the attitudes and the values he reveals as he is betrayed, arrested, tried, and killed.
April 11: Luke 4: 16-21
This is Jesus’ mission statement. Jesus came to call us all to new freedom and new life. He was faithful to his mission even though it led to the Cross.
April 12: John 13: 21-33. 36-38
This passage tells of Judas’ decision to betray Jesus and Peter’s denial of Jesus. Jesus asks, “Will you lay down your life for me?” How do we respond?
April 13: Matthew 26: 14-25
Even when he is betrayed, Jesus shows the depth of his love, and is faithful all the way to the Cross.
April 14, Maundy Thursday: John 13: 1-15
At the Last Supper, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, showing us an example of serving and caring for one another. We are to treat one another as Jesus treats us.
April 15, Good Friday: John 18:1-19:42
Good Friday puts the cross before us and challenges us not to look away. God is present there. Wherever there is suffering or pain, I seek the face of Jesus. I ask for the strength I need to be a sign of hope wherever there is despair, to be a presence of love wherever it is most needed.
April 16: Luke 24: 1-12
We must not skip lightly over Holy Saturday. It is a time of waiting. Jesus goes to the dark limits of human experience and brings Easter light.
April 17, Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord: John 20: 1-9
The great gifts of Easter are hope and faith. We can have confidence in God’s ultimate triumph and in his goodness and love, which nothing can destroy. Christ has triumphed over evil. The Resurrection is the definitive act in human history. We celebrate the mystery of the Resurrection and proclaim our faith and hope, and give thanks for these gifts!
April 18: Matthew 28: 8-15
This incident of the guards and the conspiracy is unique to Matthew.
The witness of the Christian life lived to the full is the best apologetic for the resurrection
April 19: John 20: 11-18
Like Mary at the tomb, we are looking for you, Jesus, but not recognizing you. We are too caught up in our own emotions. But all the time you are looking at me, and it is when you call me by my name, that I recognize you with joy!
April 20: Luke 24: 13-35
“The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” This is the kernel of the Good News, the basic message preached by the apostles, and although seemingly incredible, it convinced many to embrace this new faith in the Risen Jesus.
April 21: Luke 24: 35-48
In this Resurrection Appearance account, Jesus comes to be present with the disciples and says, “Peace be with you!” He reassures them that he is with them always. Jesus reveals the goodness of God who never deserts us!
April 22: John 21: 1-14
In this Resurrection Appearance account, Jesus appears to the disciples as they are fishing. He invites them to “come and have breakfast.” Like those disciples, may I be open to being surprised by God’s presence!
April 23: Mark 16: 9-15
Mary of Magdala is the first person in the world to carry the message of the Resurrection of Jesus. But the disciples do not believe her, which leads Jesus to reproach them for their incredulity and obstinacy. But Jesus continues to appear to the disciples and commission them to “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”
April 24, Second Sunday of Easter: John 20: 19-31
Jesus continues to appear to the disciples. In this encounter with Thomas, Thomas responds, “My Lord and my God!” John writes of these accounts of Jesus’ appearances: “These are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” May it be so with us.
April 25: Mark 16: 15-20
Here we have the account of Jesus commissioning the disciples to “go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” We, too, are called into the ministry of Jesus. God has some work to do that can be done only through us. We ask to use our gifts and talents as best we can in God’s service.
April 26: John 3: 7-15
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a leader, who knew the law but lacked a certain wisdom. He was unable to recognize the authority of Jesus, in this account. I ask God to give me the freedom I need to be touched by Jesus’ word, to awaken to his imagination, to receive the freedom that he desires for me.
April 27: John 3: 16-21
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
We are infinitely loved! God is hard at work to save us from evil and failure and ruin and darkness. God’s plan is to bring us all into eternal life!
April 28: John 3: 31-36
There is never an instant when God is not within me. I need have no fear of change or life or death. They are all stages along a transcendent journey home!
April 29: John 6: 1-15
In this account, Jesus met the people on the hillside and fed them. It was a miracle of being fed and being connected with one another.
April 30: John 6: 16-21
The disciples knew they were in difficulty and had work to do. They see Jesus approach them. I sometimes struggle against the wind and am slow to recognize the help that Jesus offers to me. I pray for all people who are in trouble or in need, that they might recognize the approach of Jesus through the care from others. May they not be afraid, but be embraced by the one who approaches those who know their need.