Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 21, 2024
First Reading: Acts 4.7-12
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.
Second Reading: 1 John 3.1-2
1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Gospel: John 10.11-18
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again.18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful reflections on identity, faith, and the boundless love of God. The first reading from Acts recounts Peter and John's courageous testimony before the Sanhedrin after healing a lame man. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaims that the healing was done in the name of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of salvation. This moment highlights the transformative power of faith and the authority of Jesus' name.
The second reading from 1 John invites us to contemplate the profound love of God that makes us His children. John reminds us that our true identity as sons and daughters of God is not yet fully revealed, but we can trust in the promise that when Christ appears, we will be like Him. This truth calls us to live with hope and confidence, knowing we belong to God.
In the Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. This image underscores Jesus' deep care and commitment to His followers. He knows us, and we know Him, just as He knows the Father. This intimate relationship is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are not alone in our journey of faith.
These readings remind us that our identity as children of God and our relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, are at the heart of our faith. May we trust in His care, live with the confidence of our identity, and allow His love to guide us in our daily lives.