Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 6, 2018
First Reading: Acts 4.1-12
1The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.2They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.3They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.4But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.5The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family.7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed,10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.11He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. '12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Psalm 118
1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.2Let Israel say: "His love endures forever."3Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever."4Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."5In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.6The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?7The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.10All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.11They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.12They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.13I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.14The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.15Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!16The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"17I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.18The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.19Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.20This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.21I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.22The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;23the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.24This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.25O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success.26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.27The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.28You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.29Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Gospel: John 21.1-14
1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way:2Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.3"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?No," they answered.6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the power of faith and the transformative presence of Jesus in our lives. In the first reading from Acts, Peter and John stand courageously before the religious leaders, refusing to be silenced in their proclamation of the Gospel. Despite the threats and opposition, they boldly declare that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, the cornerstone rejected by the builders. This passage highlights the early Christian community's unwavering commitment to spreading the message of salvation, even in the face of persecution. It also underscores the idea that true authority comes not from human power but from God.
In the Gospel, we see a different kind of transformation. Jesus appears to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, where they had been fishing all night without success. At Jesus' command, they cast their nets once more and haul in an abundance of fish. This miraculous catch symbolizes the disciples' return to faith and their readiness to follow Jesus' guidance. The scene by the fire, where Jesus shares bread and fish with them, evokes a sense of intimacy and renewal. It reminds us that even after moments of doubt or failure, Jesus is always present, offering us strength and direction.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like Peter and John, we are called to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with challenges or opposition. Like the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, we are reminded to trust in God's providence and to be open to the unexpected ways He works in our lives. Jesus' presence in both readings—whether in the courage of the apostles or in the abundance of the catch—teaches us that He is always with us, guiding us and empowering us to live as His disciples. Let us, therefore, embrace His call to trust, obey, and share the Good News with the world.