Daily Readings - Tue Apr 11 2023
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of response to God's divine action. The first reading from Acts 2:36-41 captures Peter's impassioned speech to the crowd after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Moved by conviction, the people repent, leading to the baptism of three thousand, marking a significant expansion of the early Church. The Gospel, John 20:11-18, presents Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Jesus. Mistaking him for a gardener, she is overcome with emotion until Jesus reveals himself, commissioning her to spread the news to the disciples.
Both readings highlight the context of pivotal moments in Christian history. Peter's speech occurs in the immediate aftermath of Pentecost, a time of spiritual awakening and communal formation. Mary's encounter is set in the aftermath of the resurrection, a moment of profound revelation. These events underscore the transformative power of God's presence and the call to action that follows.
These passages connect through the theme of response to divine intervention. Peter's call to repentance and Mary's mission to announce the resurrection illustrate how individuals and communities are moved to act in faith. They remind us that our faith is not passive but active, requiring us to respond with openness and courage.
In our daily lives, we are called to emulate this responsiveness. Like Peter, we must be willing to repent and embrace God's grace. Like Mary, we must share the Good News with others, whether through words or actions. These readings encourage us to be attentive to God's presence and to take faith-inspired steps in our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, may we be open to God's presence and promptings. Let us embrace the call to repentance and the mission to share the Good News, living out our faith with courage and joy.