Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 29, 2023
First Reading: Acts 9.31-42
31So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.32Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.33There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.34And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose.35And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.36Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.37In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay."39So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.40But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.41And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Psalm 116
1I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.2Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.3The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.4Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.6The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.7Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.8For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;9I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.10I believed, even when I spoke, "I am greatly afflicted";11I said in my alarm, "All mankind are liars."12What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?13I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,14I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.16O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds.17I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.18I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,19in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!
Gospel: John 6.53, 60-69
53So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.60When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"61But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.64But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)65And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."66After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.67So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,69and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One 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.