Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 28, 2024
First Reading: Acts 9.26-31
26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.29He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.30When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
Psalm 22
1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?2O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.3Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.4In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.5They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.7All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:8"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."9Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.10From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.11Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.12Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.13Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.15My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.16Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.17I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.19But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.20Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.21Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.22I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.23You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!24For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.25From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.26The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him- may your hearts live forever!27All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,28for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.29All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him- those who cannot keep themselves alive.30Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.31They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn- for he has done it.
Second Reading: 1 John 3.18-24
18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
Gospel: John 15.1-8
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the essential relationship between faith, love, and unity. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community thriving because of their shared faith and mutual support. Barnabas, in particular, stands out as a model of trust and encouragement, helping Saul (Paul) to integrate into the community despite his past persecution of believers. This passage highlights the importance of living out our faith in community and being open to giving others a chance to grow and contribute.
The second reading from 1 John deepens this message by emphasizing that true love is not just in words but in actions. John reminds us that our faith is demonstrated through our deeds and our willingness to follow God’s commandments. He also reassures us that even when we feel unworthy or uncertain, God’s love and mercy are greater than our doubts. This reading invites us to reflect on how we express our love for God and for one another in tangible ways.
In the Gospel, Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches to teach us about our dependence on him. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own, we cannot live a fruitful spiritual life apart from Christ. Jesus calls us to abide in him, to remain connected to him through prayer, his word, and the sacraments. This union with Christ is not just for our own benefit but also for the sake of others, as we are called to bear fruit by living out his love and truth in the world.
Today’s readings, therefore, call us to examine our lives and ask: Are we living as part of a community that supports and encourages one another? Are we expressing our faith through concrete actions of love and service? Are we staying connected to Christ, the true vine, so that we can bear fruit that glorifies God? Let us strive to abide in Christ, to love in deed and truth, and to trust in God’s presence and guidance in our lives.