Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 29, 2023
First Reading: Acts 9.31-42
31Certainly, the Church had peace throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and it was being built up, while walking in the fear of the Lord, and it was being filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit32Then it happened that Peter, as he traveled around everywhere, came to the saints who were living at Lydda33But he found there a certain man, named Aeneas, who was a paralytic, who had lain in bed for eight years34And Peter said to him: "Aeneas, the Lord Jesus Christ heals you. Rise up and arrange your bed." And immediately he rose up35And all who were living in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they were converted to the Lord36Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which in translation is called Dorcas. She was filled with the good works and almsgiving that she was accomplishing37And it happened that, in those days, she became ill and died. And when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room38Now since Lydda was close to Joppa, the disciples, upon hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, asking him: "Do not be slow in coming to us.39Then Peter, rising up, went with them. And when he had arrived, they led him to an upper room. And all the widows were standing around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and garments that Dorcas had made for them40And when they had all been sent outside, Peter, kneeling down, prayed. And turning to the body, he said: "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes and, upon seeing Peter, sat up again41And offering her his hand, he lifted her up. And when he had called in the saints and the widows, he presented her alive42Now this became known throughout all of Joppa. And many believed in the Lord
Psalm 116
1Alleluia. I have loved: therefore, the Lord will heed the voice of my prayer2For he has inclined his ear to me. And in my days, I will call upon him3The sorrows of death have surrounded me, and the perils of Hell have found me. I have found tribulation and sorrow4And so, I called upon the name of the Lord. O Lord, free my soul5Merciful is the Lord, and just. And our God is compassionate6The Lord is the keeper of little ones. I was humbled, and he freed me7Turn again, my soul, to your rest. For the Lord has done good to you8For he has rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from slipping9I will please the Lord in the land of the living10Alleluia. I had confidence, because of what I was saying, but then I was greatly humbled11I said in my excess, "Every man is a liar.12What shall I repay to the Lord, for all the things that he has repaid to me13I will take up the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord14I will repay my vows to the Lord, in the sight of all his people15Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his holy ones16O Lord, because I am your servant, your servant and the son of your handmaid, you have broken my bonds17I will sacrifice to you the sacrifice of praise, and I will invoke the name of the Lord18I will repay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his people19in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem
Gospel: John 6.53, 60-69
53And so, Jesus said to them: "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you60Therefore, many of his disciples, upon hearing this, said: "This saying is difficult," and, "Who is able to listen to it?61But Jesus, knowing within himself that his disciples were murmuring about this, said to them: "Does this offend you62Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending to where he was before63It is the Spirit who gives life. The flesh does not offer anything of benefit. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life64But there are some among you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who were unbelieving and which one would betray him65And so he said, "For this reason, I said to you that no one is able to come to me, unless it has been given to him by my Father.66After this, many of his disciples went back, and they no longer walked with him67Therefore, Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?68Then Simon Peter answered him: "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life69And we have believed, and we recognize that you are the Christ, the Son of God.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful expressions of faith and the transformative power of God’s presence in our lives. The first reading from Acts describes how the early Church, though facing challenges, was strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Peter, an apostle, performs two miracles: healing a paralytic man named Aeneas and raising a devout disciple named Tabitha from the dead. These miracles not only demonstrate God’s power but also lead to conversions, showing how faith in action can inspire others to turn to the Lord.
The Gospel reading from John presents a challenging teaching by Jesus, where He emphasizes that eating His flesh and drinking His blood is necessary for eternal life. This teaching was difficult for many of His disciples, leading some to abandon Him. Yet, in the face of this challenge, Peter’s response stands out: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter’s unwavering faith serves as a model for us when we encounter teachings or circumstances that test our understanding or comfort.
These readings remind us that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a lived commitment to trusting in God’s plan, even when it is difficult. Like Peter, we are called to deepen our faith and to trust in the Lord’s words, which are spirit and life. In our daily lives, let us ask for the grace to embrace the challenges of following Christ, knowing that it is the Spirit who gives us the strength to live as disciples. May we, like the early Church, be witnesses of God’s power and love, bringing hope and light to those around us.