Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 2, 2024
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of encountering Christ. In the first reading from Acts, Peter’s sermon at Pentecost moves the hearts of the people, leading them to repentance and baptism. This moment marks a pivotal point in the early Church, as thousands embrace the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Gospel from John presents Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus, where her grief turns to joy as she recognizes Him and becomes a witness to the resurrection.
Both readings highlight the profound impact of responding to God’s call. In Acts, the crowd’s response to Peter’s message leads to a collective conversion, illustrating the communal aspect of faith. In John’s account, Mary’s personal encounter with Jesus transforms her into a bearer of the Good News. These narratives show how faith can lead to action, whether through repentance and baptism or through sharing the message of Christ’s resurrection.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to remain open to God’s presence and to trust in His plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Like Mary Magdalene, we may face moments of doubt or confusion, but it is through faith that we find clarity and purpose. The moral lesson here is the importance of trusting in God’s plan and being willing to act on our faith, whether through personal conversion or by sharing the Gospel with others. Let us embrace the transformative power of Christ’s presence in our lives, leading us to deeper conversion and a commitment to live as His disciples.