Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 23, 2022
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments in the early Christian narrative that invite us to reflect on courage, faith, and our role as witnesses of Christ's love. The first reading from Acts 4:13-21 presents Peter and John standing courageously before the Sanhedrin, refusing to be silenced despite threats. Their unwavering commitment to preach the Gospel, even in the face of persecution, highlights the transformative power of faith. The second reading from Mark 16:9-15 shifts our focus to the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. Despite initial disbelief, the disciples are commissioned to spread the Gospel to all creation, a call that resonates with us today.
Both readings are set in the context of early Christianity, where the message of Jesus was met with both wonder and opposition. In Acts, the apostles' steadfastness in the face of authority reflects the challenges of sharing the Gospel in a hostile environment. In Mark, the disciples' journey from doubt to belief underscores the human struggle with faith and the ultimate trust in God's plan. These narratives intersect in their emphasis on the imperative to witness, despite obstacles, illustrating that the call to spread the Gospel is universal and timeless.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace our role as modern-day disciples. Like Peter and John, we may face challenges in living out our faith, but their courage reminds us to trust in God's guidance. Similarly, the disciples' transformation from disbelief to belief invites us to reflect on our own faith journeys. As we navigate life's uncertainties, we are called to perseverance and trust, sharing the Good News with love and courage. Let us, therefore, go forth with renewed commitment, embodying the faith and resilience of the early Christians, and spread the message of Christ's love to all we encounter.