Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 14, 2024
First Reading: Acts 3.13-15, 17-19
13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.17And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.18But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Psalm 4
1Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.2O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.3But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.7Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Second Reading: 1 John 2.1-5
1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
Gospel: Luke 24.35-48
35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.36And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.40And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.43And he took it, and did eat before them.44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48And ye are witnesses of these things.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the fulfillment of God's plan. The first reading from Acts finds Peter addressing a crowd, acknowledging their role in Jesus' death but also highlighting the opportunity for forgiveness through repentance. The second reading from 1 John emphasizes Jesus as our advocate, whose sacrifice covers not just our sins but those of the entire world. It underscores the importance of living according to God's commandments as a testament to our faith. The Gospel from Luke narrates Jesus' appearance to his disciples post-resurrection, where he proves his physical presence and commissions them to spread the message of repentance and forgiveness.
These readings interweave to reveal the tapestry of God's plan. Peter's call to repentance, John's emphasis on living out faith through love and commandments, and Luke's account of Jesus' commission all point to the central message of redemption and the responsibility that comes with it. Together, they illustrate that our faith is not just about belief but about action—living in a way that reflects God's love and forgiveness.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are reminded to seek forgiveness and to extend it to others. Just as the disciples were commissioned, we too are called to share the message of God's love. The moral lesson here is clear: recognizing our sins, seeking forgiveness, and living a life that embodies God's commandments. As we go about our days, may we carry this message of redemption and love, allowing it to transform not just our own lives but the lives of those around us.