Daily Readings - Tue Apr 06 2021
Acts
36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"38And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."40And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
John
11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.12And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.13They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."14Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.15Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).17Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"--and that he had said these things to her.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of encountering God and the call to share this encounter with others. In the first reading from Acts, Peter’s sermon to the crowd after Pentecost leads to a profound conversion: three thousand people are baptized and join the early Christian community. This moment marks the beginning of the Church as we know it, and it underscores the power of faith and repentance. Peter’s words cut to the heart of the people, moving them to seek forgiveness and a new life in Christ.
In the Gospel, we find Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb, weeping and searching for Jesus. Her encounter with the risen Lord is deeply personal and emotional. When Jesus reveals himself to her, she is filled with joy and immediately runs to share the news with the disciples. Mary’s story reminds us that our faith is not just about personal belief but about proclamation. Just as Mary was sent to tell the disciples, we too are called to share the Good News with others.
Both readings highlight the connection between faith and action. Peter’s audience is moved to repentance and baptism, while Mary is sent forth as a witness to the resurrection. In our own lives, we are called to respond to God’s presence with openness and courage. Like Mary, we may face uncertainty and even grief, but through faith, we can find hope and purpose. Let us allow the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us, and let us be bold in sharing the love and joy of Christ with those around us.