First reading 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
If Christ has not been raised, your belief is useless
Now if Christ raised from the dead is what has been preached, how can some of you be saying that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ himself cannot have been raised, and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless and your believing it is useless; indeed, we are shown up as witnesses who have committed perjury before God, because we swore in evidence before God that he had raised Christ to life. For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins. And what is more serious, all who have died in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ has been for this life only, we are the most unfortunate of all people.
But Christ has in fact been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep.
Responsorial Psalm 16(17):1,6-8,15
I shall be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory, O Lord.
Lord, hear a cause that is just,
pay heed to my cry.
Turn your ear to my prayer:
no deceit is on my lips.
I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God.
Turn your ear to me; hear my words.
Display your great love, you whose right hand saves
your friends from those who rebel against them.
Guard me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings
As for me, in my justice I shall see your face
and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory.
Gospel Luke 8:1-3
The women who accompanied Jesus
Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.
Risen Christ, Our Hope
In today’s first reading, St Paul states that Christ’s Resurrection is at the very heart of Christian hope: “If Christ has not been raised then our preaching is useless, and your believing is useless.” Christian hope is rooted in the Person of Jesus Christ, whose resurrection shows that suffering, failure, sadness and death do not have the final word. In our difficult moments, such as facing an illness, loss, or uncertainty about the future, we can trust that God can bring goodness and life from situations that seem hopeless and dead.
The Gospel shows us that several women followed Jesus as He travelled from place to place. They used their own resources to support Him in His mission. Though they did not fully understand everything, they remained faithful in their following. Their perseverance reflects their hope in Jesus. Today, let us follow Jesus, not only in moments of enthusiasm but also in the ordinary moments of life. As His disciples, we are people of hope, not because life is free from problems, but because the risen Jesus walks with us. Let us place our hope in Him.
Reflective question:
How can I be a sign of hope to others today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
