Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 26, 2024
First Reading: Acts 13.26-33
26Noble brothers, sons of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, it is to you the Word of this salvation has been sent27For those who were living in Jerusalem, and its rulers, heeding neither him, nor the voices of the Prophets that are read on every Sabbath, fulfilled these by judging him28And although they found no case for death against him, they petitioned Pilate, so that they might put him to death29And when they had fulfilled everything that had been written about him, taking him down from the tree, they placed him in a tomb30Yet truly, God raised him up from the dead on the third day31And he was seen for many days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who even now are his witnesses to the people32And we are announcing to you that the Promise, which was made to our fathers33has been fulfilled by God for our children by raising up Jesus, just as it has been written in the second Psalm also: ‘You are my Son. This day I have begotten you.
Psalm 2
1Why have the Gentiles been seething, and why have the people been pondering nonsense2The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, against the Lord and against his Christ3"Let us shatter their chains and cast their yoke away from us.4He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, and the Lord will mock them5Then will he speak to them in his anger and trouble them with his fury6Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, preaching his precepts7The Lord has said to me: You are my son, this day have I begotten you8Ask of me and I will give to you: the Gentiles for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession9You will rule them with an iron rod, and you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel10And now, O kings, understand. Receive instruction, you who judge the earth11Serve the Lord in fear, and exult in him with trembling12Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord might become angry, and you would perish from the way of the just. Though his wrath can flare up in a short time, blessed are all those who trust in him
Gospel: John 14.1-6
1"Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also2In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. If there were not, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will return again, and then I will take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be4And you know where I am going. And you know the way.5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?6Jesus said to him: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me
Sermon
In today's readings, we first hear Paul addressing the people of Antioch, recounting the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. He emphasizes that the leaders in Jerusalem did not recognize Jesus, leading to his death, but God's power raised him on the third day, fulfilling the promises of old. This sets the stage for the Good News of salvation through Jesus.
In the Gospel, Jesus comforts his disciples with the assurance that he will prepare a place for them in his Father's house. He affirms that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, guiding us to the Father. This passage underscores Jesus' role as our ultimate guide and source of truth.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on belief and trust in Jesus. Paul's message highlights the fulfillment of God's promises, while Jesus' words offer comfort and direction. Together, they remind us to trust in God's plan and follow Jesus as our guide. In our daily lives, this means placing our faith in God's providence and seeking to follow Jesus' teachings, even in uncertain times. This trust brings us hope and purpose, as we journey towards the eternal home Jesus has prepared for us.