Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 31, 2024

Date:   Easter

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, Easter Sunday, presents Peter’s proclamation of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and commission of believers to give witness of salvation through Jesus Christ. The account comes to us from the Acts of the Apostles. Truly, Jesus Christ is the one of whom all the prophets bear witness. Truly, Jesus Christ personifies the perfect living of the law of love of God and one another. Truly, salvation comes to us from the Father, through Christ, in the Spirit.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

As I begin this Easter day, has my Lenten journey brought me closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ? More loving, more open, more desirous of being His witness to others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, from You came our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sent by You to reconcile us to You and to atone for our sins, though He himself was without sin, He revealed to us your great love and through His teachings and works, opened our minds and hearts to whom we are called to be and to live. Today, as we celebrate His resurrection from the dead in the Spirit, grant that we may not only proclaim the salvation from You, through Christ, in the Spirit, but also that our minds and hearts burst with the love with our voices pronounce. 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.