Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 2, 2019
First Reading: Acts 5.27-33
27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
Psalm 34
1I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.6This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.8Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.9Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.10The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,13keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.14Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;16the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;20he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.21Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Gospel: John 3.31-36
31"The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.33The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our commitment to faith and the divine nature of Jesus Christ. The first reading from Acts 5:27-33 portrays Peter and the apostles standing resolutely before the council, refusing to cease their proclamation of Jesus' teachings. Despite the council's orders to stop, they affirm their allegiance to God, emphasizing that obedience to Him surpasses earthly authority. This scene underscores the apostles' unwavering dedication to their faith amidst persecution.
The second reading, from John 3:31-36, shifts our focus to Jesus' discourse on His divine origin. Jesus, who comes from heaven, speaks of the necessity of belief in Him for eternal life. He highlights the consequences of unbelief, warning that those who do not believe will face God's wrath. This passage emphasizes the critical role of faith in Jesus as the path to salvation and eternal life.
These readings connect through their themes of obedience to God and the imperative of faith. The apostles in Acts exemplify obedience to God's will, even in the face of adversity, while John's passage underscores the divine authority of Jesus and the salvific power of belief. Together, they remind us that our faith must guide our actions and decisions, even when faced with challenges.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to stand firm in our faith, trusting in God's plan and prioritizing His will over worldly pressures. They call us to reflect on our commitment to Jesus and the consequences of our belief or unbelief. May we, like the apostles, courageously live out our faith, trusting in Jesus' promise of eternal life. Let us embrace the truth of His divine nature and allow it to transform our lives, guiding us toward a deeper relationship with Him.