Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 20, 2025

Easter – The Resurrection of the Lord

Scripture Text: Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Peter proceeded to speak and said:

“You know what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today is drawn from the Acts of the Apostles and presents Peter’s words to Cornelius and his household about Jesus.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I sincerely believe in Jesus Christ as Son of God and Savior?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten Son to us, to dwell among us, to love us as our brother, to reveal You and your love to us, and to lovingly reconcile us to You through His selfless gift of Himself upon the cross of Calvary, atonement for our sins though He Himself was without sin. On this day of great celebration, as we remember His resurrection, grant that our faith will grow, our hope will deepen, and our love for You and one another will increase. Send your Spirit to make of us the daughters and sons You created us to be and the disciples Jesus calls us to be. Grant that we may more fully open ourselves to You, to your love for us, to Jesus’ saving act and gift, and to the Spirit’s guidance and grace. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever.

Amen.