Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 1, 2018
First Reading: Acts 10.34a, 37-43
34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Psalm 118
1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.2Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.4Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.14The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.16The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.19Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:20This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.23This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.24This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.27God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.28Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.29O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Second Reading: Colossians 3.1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5.6b-8
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Gospel: John 20.1-9
1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.3Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter the profound message of the resurrection and its transformative power. The first reading from Acts highlights Peter's declaration that Jesus, anointed by God, performed good works, was crucified, and rose on the third day. This resurrection is not just a historical event but a universal message of salvation for all, with Jesus as the judge of the living and the dead. The second reading from Colossians invites us to seek heavenly things, reminding us that our true life is with Christ, hidden in God, and will be revealed in glory. The Gospel from John vividly portrays the discovery of the empty tomb, where the disciples' encounter leads to belief, emphasizing the tangible reality of the resurrection.
These readings are interconnected through the theme of resurrection. Acts proclaims the resurrection as a universal message of hope, Colossians encourages a life focused on eternal values, and John illustrates the moment of belief sparked by the empty tomb. Together, they call us to embrace the resurrection's impact on our daily lives, urging us to live with hope and purpose, knowing that our true life is in Christ.
The moral lesson here is the power of faith and the call to live as people of the resurrection. Just as the disciples were transformed by their encounter, we too are called to live with a heavenly perspective, trusting in God's plan and sharing the message of salvation. Let us embrace this truth, allowing it to transform our lives and guide us in living as children of the light, focused on eternal glory.