Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 3, 2024
First Reading: Acts 3.1-10
1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon.2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.9When all the people saw him walking and praising God,10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Psalm 105
1Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.2Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.3Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.4Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.5Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,6O descendants of Abraham his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.7He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.8He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,9the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.10He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:11"To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit."12When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it,13they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.14He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:15"Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm."16He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food;17and he sent a man before them- Joseph, sold as a slave.18They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons,19till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true.20The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free.21He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed,22to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom.23Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham.24The LORD made his people very fruitful; he made them too numerous for their foes,25whose hearts he turned to hate his people, to conspire against his servants.26He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.27They performed his miraculous signs among them, his wonders in the land of Ham.28He sent darkness and made the land dark- for had they not rebelled against his words?29He turned their waters into blood, causing their fish to die.30Their land teemed with frogs, which went up into the bedrooms of their rulers.31He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country.32He turned their rain into hail, with lightning throughout their land;33he struck down their vines and fig trees and shattered the trees of their country.34He spoke, and the locusts came, grasshoppers without number;35they ate up every green thing in their land, ate up the produce of their soil.36Then he struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their manhood.37He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered.38Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them.39He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night.40They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.41He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert.42For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham.43He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy;44he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for-45that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 24.13-35
13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;16but they were kept from recognizing him.17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"18They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"19"What things?" he asked.20"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of recognition and faith. The first, from Acts 3:1-10, tells the story of Peter and John healing a lame man at the temple gate. This man, who had been unable to walk since birth, is placed at the Beautiful Gate to beg. Peter and John, moved by faith, heal him in the name of Jesus, and he rises, walks, and praises God. This miracle astonishes the crowd and highlights the power of faith and the authority of Jesus's name.
The second reading, from Luke 24:13-35, recounts the journey of two disciples to Emmaus after Jesus's crucifixion. They are deep in sorrow and confusion, discussing the events of Jesus's death. Unbeknownst to them, Jesus joins them on their journey and explains the Scriptures, revealing how they point to his suffering and resurrection. When they reach Emmaus, Jesus breaks bread with them, and their eyes are opened to recognize him. This moment of recognition is a beautiful illustration of how Jesus reveals Himself, often in the simplest of acts, like the Eucharist.
Both readings share a common theme of recognition and faith. In Acts, the lame man's healing is a physical manifestation of God's power, while in Luke, the disciples experience a spiritual awakening. These stories remind us to trust in God's power and to seek Jesus in our daily lives, especially in moments of doubt or sorrow. Just as the lame man and the disciples encountered Jesus, we too can find Him in prayer, Scripture, and the Eucharist.
As we reflect on these readings, let us be encouraged to live with faith and openness to God's presence. May we recognize Jesus in our daily encounters and trust in His power to transform our lives. Let us also share the Good News with others, just as the disciples rushed back to Jerusalem to spread the word of Jesus's resurrection. In doing so, we embody the spirit of faith and community that these stories inspire.