Daily Readings - Tue Apr 19 2022
Acts
36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
John
11But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of encountering God and the call to live as witnesses of His love. In the first reading from Acts, Peter addresses the crowd after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. His words pierce the hearts of the people, leading them to repentance and baptism. This moment marks the birth of the Church, as three thousand souls are added to the community of believers. The passage emphasizes the urgency of responding to God’s grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live as children of God.
In the Gospel, we find Mary Magdalene at the tomb, overcome with grief and confusion. Her encounter with the risen Jesus is deeply personal and transformative. When Jesus calls her name, she recognizes Him and is filled with joy. Yet, He tells her not to cling to Him but to go and share the news with the disciples. This moment highlights Mary’s role as the first witness to the resurrection and the importance of sharing the Good News with others. Both readings remind us that our faith is not just a personal experience but a call to mission.
As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: How am I responding to God’s grace in my life? Am I open to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit? Like Mary Magdalene, are we willing to trust in God’s plan, even when it challenges our expectations? And like the early Church, are we living as witnesses of God’s love in the world? May we embrace the call to repentance, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and share the joy of the Gospel with others, just as Mary and the early disciples did.