Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 7, 2018
First Reading: Acts 4.13-21
13Then, seeing the constancy of Peter and John, having verified that they were men without letters or learning, they wondered. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus14Also, seeing the man who had been cured standing with them, they were unable to say anything to contradict them15But they ordered them to withdraw outside, away from the council, and they conferred among themselves16saying: "What shall we do to these men? For certainly a public sign has been done through them, before all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It is manifest, and we cannot deny it17But lest it spread further among the people, let us threaten them not to speak anymore in this name to any man.18And calling them in, they warned them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus19Yet truly, Peter and John said in response to them: "Judge whether it is just in the sight of God to listen to you, rather than to God20For we are unable to refrain from speaking the things that we have seen and heard.21But they, threatening them, sent them away, having not found a way that they might punish them because of the people. For all were glorifying the things that had been done in these events
Psalm 118
1Alleluia. Confess to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is forever2Let Israel now say: For he is good, for his mercy is forever3Let the house of Aaron now say: For his mercy is forever4Let those who fear the Lord now say: For his mercy is forever5In my tribulation, I called upon the Lord. And the Lord heeded me with generosity6The Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man can do to me7The Lord is my helper. And I will look down upon my enemies8It is good to trust in the Lord, rather than to trust in man9It is good to hope in the Lord, rather than to hope in leaders10All the nations have surrounded me. And, in the name of the Lord, I have been avenged over them11Surrounding me, they closed in on me. And, in the name of the Lord, I have been avenged over them12They surrounded me like a swarm, and they burned like fire among the thorns. And, in the name of the Lord, I have been avenged over them13Having been pushed, I was overturned so as to fall. But the Lord took me up14The Lord is my strength and my praise. And he has become my salvation15A voice of exultation and salvation is in the tabernacles of the just16The right hand of the Lord has wrought virtue. The right hand of the Lord has exalted me. The right hand of the Lord has wrought virtue17I will not die, but I will live. And I will declare the works of the Lord18When chastising, the Lord chastised me. But he has not delivered me over to death19Open the gates of justice to me. I will enter them, and I will confess to the Lord20This is the gate of the Lord. The just will enter by it21I will confess to you because you have heard me. And you have become my salvation22The stone which the builders have rejected, this has become the head of the corner23By the Lord has this been done, and it is a wonder before our eyes24This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us exult and rejoice in it25O Lord, grant salvation to me. O Lord, grant good prosperity26Blessed is he who arrives in the name of the Lord. We have blessed you from the house of the Lord27The Lord is God, and he has enlightened us. Establish a solemn day amid a dense crowd, even to the horn of the altar28You are my God, and I will confess to you. You are my God, and I will exalt you. I will confess to you, for you have heeded me. And you have become my salvation29Confess to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is forever
Gospel: Mark 16.9-15
9But he, rising early on the first Sabbath, appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons10She went and announced it to those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping11And they, upon hearing that he was alive and that he had been seen by her, did not believe it12But after these events, he was shown in another likeness to two of them walking, as they were going out to the countryside13And they, returning, reported it to the others; neither did they believe them14Finally, he appeared to the eleven, as they sat at table. And he rebuked them for their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen that he had risen again15And he said to them: "Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the courage and conviction of the early followers of Christ, as well as the transformative power of the Gospel. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, after being arrested for healing a man and preaching about Jesus. Despite the threats and intimidation, they boldly declare that they cannot stop speaking about what they have seen and heard. Their unwavering commitment to sharing the Good News, even in the face of persecution, is a testament to the power of faith and the Holy Spirit working through them.
In the Gospel, Mark describes the events following Jesus' resurrection. Mary Magdalene, a witness to the empty tomb, is met with disbelief by the disciples when she shares the news. Later, Jesus appears to two disciples on the road and finally to the eleven apostles, rebuking them for their hardness of heart and unbelief. Yet, despite their initial doubt, Jesus commissions them to "go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature." This passage reminds us that even in our moments of doubt or fear, God calls us to trust in His power and to share the message of salvation with others.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and how we live it out in our daily lives. Like Peter and John, we are called to be bold witnesses to the Gospel, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. Like the disciples, we may struggle with doubt or fear, but Jesus still calls us to trust in Him and to share His love with the world. Let us ask for the courage to speak the truth with confidence, the humility to overcome our doubts, and the grace to fulfill our mission as disciples of Christ.