Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 26, 2024
First Reading: Acts 13.26-33
26"Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.27For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.28And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.29And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.30But God raised him from the dead,31and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.32And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers,33this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, "'You are my Son, today I have begotten you.'
Psalm 2
1Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,3"Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."4He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.5Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,6"As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill."7I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you.8Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.9You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."10Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Gospel: John 14.1-6
1"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.2In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.4And you know the way to where I am going."5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. 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.