Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 11, 2023
First Reading: Acts 2.36-41
36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Psalm 33
1Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.2Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.3Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.4For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.5The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.7He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.8Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.9For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.10The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.11But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.13From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;14from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth-15he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.16No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.17A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.18But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,19to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.20We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.21In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.22May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
Gospel: John 20.11-18
11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"14"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).17Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to 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.