Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 31, 2024
First Reading: Acts 10.34a, 37-43
34So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,37you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.39And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,40but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,41not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.42And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
Psalm 118
1Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!2Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."3Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever."4Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures forever."5Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?7The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.10All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!11They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!12They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!13I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.14The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.15Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,16the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"17I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.18The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.19Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.20This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.21I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.22The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.23This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.24This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.25Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.27The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!28You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.29Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Second Reading: Colossians 3.1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5.6b-8
1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
6Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?7Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.8Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Gospel: John 20.1-9
1Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."3So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.4Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.5And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,7and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;9for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter the profound message of Easter, a time of renewal and hope. The first reading from Acts highlights Peter's proclamation of Jesus as the universal savior, sent to heal and do good, and the command to preach His resurrection. The second reading from Colossians invites us to set our minds on heavenly things, living a life transformed by our union with the risen Christ. The Gospel from John vividly portrays the discovery of the empty tomb, where the beloved disciple's faith is kindled, though understanding comes later.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of resurrection. Peter's message emphasizes Jesus' role as judge and savior, while Colossians encourages a life focused on eternal values. John's narrative illustrates the moment faith begins, even before full understanding. Together, they remind us that the resurrection is not just an event but a transformative reality.
In our daily lives, this message calls us to live with hope and an eternal perspective. Just as the disciples' encounter with the empty tomb changed their lives, the resurrection invites us to trust in God's plan and embrace a life of faith and transformation. Let us live each day with eyes on eternity, trusting in the power of the resurrection to guide us.