Daily Readings - Tue Apr 22 2025
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
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the transformative power of faith and the call to share the Good News with others. In the first reading from Acts, Peter’s sermon on Pentecost leads to a profound moment of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, three thousand people repent, are baptized, and join the early Christian community. This passage highlights the urgency of responding to God’s call and the importance of living as witnesses to the Gospel.
In the Gospel, John’s account of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus beautifully illustrates the personal and intimate nature of faith. Mary’s deep love for Jesus leads her to the tomb, where she is met with the astonishing news of his resurrection. Her initial grief turns to joy as she recognizes Jesus and is commissioned to share the news with the disciples. This moment marks Mary as the first evangelist, showing that every believer is called to proclaim the Good News.
These readings remind us that faith is not a private matter but a call to action. Like Peter and Mary, we are invited to embrace conversion, live with purpose, and share the joy of the Gospel with others. Let us ask for the courage to respond to God’s call in our own lives and to bear witness to the love and hope that Jesus brings.