Daily Mass Readings
Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply.
So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, "What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name."
So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, "Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard." After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened.
THE WORD OF THE LORD. · Thanks be to God.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or: Alleluia.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. The joyful shout of victory in the tents of the just.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
"The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord has struck with power." I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Though the Lord has indeed chastised me, yet he has not delivered me to death.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
The Easter Sequence may be sung or prayed on any day within the Octave of Easter. It proclaims the wonder of the Resurrection in poetic form.
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died,
reigns immortal.
What you saw, wayfaring.
"The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus' resurrection;
Bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting."
to Galilee he goes before you."
Christ indeed from death is risen,
our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK · Glory to you, O Lord.
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.
But later, as the Eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD. · Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Today's Reflection
Witnessing What We Cannot Keep Silent
In today's First Reading, Peter and John stand in the most dangerous room imaginable — surrounded by the same authority that handed Jesus over to death not two weeks before. Yet there is something remarkable about their bearing. They are described as "uneducated, ordinary men," and yet the leaders marvel. Why? Because they had been with Jesus.
"It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard." — Acts 4:20
The Resurrection is not a doctrine Peter and John have memorised. It is an encounter. It is the smell of charcoal fire on a beach at dawn, the voice of a man they thought was dead saying "Come and eat." You cannot threaten a witness into silence. You can only threaten someone who is trying to believe something — not someone who has seen it.
The Gospel of Mark shows us the same pattern from a different angle: Mary Magdalene encounters the Risen Lord and runs to tell the others. They do not believe her. The two on the road encounter him and return to tell the eleven. Still, no one believes. Then Jesus himself appears and — gently but firmly — rebukes them for their "unbelief and hardness of heart."
Today's liturgy invites us to ask: where have I seen the Lord? What moment of grace, healing, unexpected mercy, or quiet presence has been given to me — and have I been willing to speak of it, even when others might not believe?
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15
Watch Mass Live
LIVE STREAMSJoin the celebration of the Eucharist from the comfort of home through these trusted Catholic channels.
The Week Ahead
Upcoming celebrations in the Easter Season