Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 3, 2024

Date: Friday of the 5th Week of Easter/Feast of St. James and Philip  

Scripture Text:  1 Corinthians 15:1-8

I am reminding you, brothers and sisters, of the Gospel I preached to you, which you indeed received and in which you also stand. Through it you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. After that he appeared to James, then to all the Apostles. Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today is from Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians. In the portion read today, Paul “reminds” the reader of “the Gospel I preached to you. He reminds them also that through this Gospel which we have received and in which we believe we are being saved by Christ. Paul speaks of those to whom Jesus appeared during the days after His resurrection. Paul concludes with Jesus’ appearance to him, not initially a believer, but one converted by Christ.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How have I come to the faith? How have I received the Gospel? How compelled do I feel to stand in and live that Gospel? Have I experienced Christ in my journey?

Praying:

LORD, You know us and You love us, of this we are sure. We come to You seeking your grace and blessings as we take the Good News of Salvation from the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit to others through word and action. May the grace and gifts of the Spirit aid us in becoming the disciples You call us to be. Amen