Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 4, 2021
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.
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 Gospel, we witness the dramatic discovery of the empty tomb on that first Easter morning. Mary Magdalene, filled with grief and urgency, notices that the stone has been rolled away. She rushes to inform Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved. Their hurried journey to the tomb, with the other disciple reaching it first, sets the stage for a moment of profound faith. Upon entering the tomb, the disciple sees the neatly arranged linens and the separate cloth that had covered Jesus’ head. In that moment, he believes, even though he and Peter do not yet fully understand the Scriptures that foretold of Jesus’ resurrection.
This passage invites us to reflect on the interplay between doubt and faith. Mary’s initial alarm and the disciples’ haste reveal the confusion and uncertainty that often accompany moments of crisis. Yet, in the stillness of the tomb, the other disciple’s eyes are opened to the truth. The carefully placed linens and the separate cloth suggest an orderly and intentional act, not the chaotic aftermath of grave robbers. This detail speaks to the divine order of God’s plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unclear.
As we apply this to our daily lives, we are reminded that faith often begins in the midst of uncertainty. Like Mary and the disciples, we may encounter moments where the path ahead is shrouded in darkness. But it is precisely in these moments that we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when we do not fully understand it. The empty tomb is not just a historical event; it is a symbol of the hope that lies at the heart of our faith. Let us, like the other disciple, allow ourselves to see and believe, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. In doing so, we may discover that what initially seems like an ending is, in fact, a new beginning.