Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 16, 2022
First Reading: Genesis 1.1, 26-31a
1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.29And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.30And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Psalm 104
1Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.2Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:3Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:4Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:5Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.6Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.7At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.8They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.9Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.10He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.11They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.12By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.13He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.14He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;15And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.16The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;17Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.18The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.19He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.20Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.21The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.22The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.23Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.24O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.25So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.26There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.27These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.28That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.30Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.31The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.32He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.33I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.34My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.35Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
Second Reading: Romans 6.3-11
3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.7For he that is dead is freed from sin.8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gospel: Luke 24.1-12
1Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.2And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.8And they remembered his words,9And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.10It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.11And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.12Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
Sermon
The readings today take us on a journey from creation to resurrection, reminding us of God’s plan for humanity and our ultimate hope in Christ. In the first reading, we hear the story of creation, where God forms humanity in his own image and gives us dominion over the earth. This passage emphasizes our dignity as creatures made for a purpose and our responsibility to care for the world around us. The second reading from Romans connects this creation narrative to our life in Christ, explaining how through baptism, we are united with Christ’s death and resurrection. We are called to leave behind our old selves and live in the newness of life, free from the grip of sin. Finally, the Gospel from Luke recounts the discovery of the empty tomb, a moment of confusion and wonder that leads to faith. The women’s words seem like a delusion to the disciples, but Peter’s curiosity and investigation lead him to the truth of the resurrection.
These readings are deeply intertwined. The creation story establishes our identity as God’s beloved creatures, while Romans reveals how that identity is transformed through Christ. The Gospel, then, is the culmination of this transformation, as Christ’s resurrection opens the door to eternal life. Together, they remind us that we are not just passive observers in God’s plan but active participants, called to live in the light of this truth.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How are we living out our dignity as God’s image-bearers? Are we caring for creation and one another with the love and responsibility that comes with this calling? Are we embracing the new life offered through Christ, leaving behind sin and living for God? And when faced with confusion or doubt, do we, like Peter, seek the truth with courage and openness? May we allow the resurrection to transform our lives, filling us with hope and purpose as we strive to live as children of God.