by Norbert Doulanni | Apr 28, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Catherine of Siena (1347 – 1380)
Psalter: Week II
White
Born in Siena, she entered Third Order of the Dominicans. She is remembered for her burning love of God and neighbour and contributions to doctrine. In 1970 Pope Paul VI declared her a Doctor of the Church.
Entrance Antiphon
Here is a wise virgin, from among the number of the prudent, who went forth with lighted lamp to meet Christ, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who set Saint Catherine of Siena on fire with divine love in her contemplation of the Lord’s Passion and her service of your Church, grant, through her intercession, that your people, participating in the mystery of Christ, may ever exult in the revelation of his glory. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 4:32-37
The whole group of believers was united, heart and soul; no one claimed for his own use anything that he had, as everything they owned was held in common. The apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and they were all given great respect. None of their members was ever in want, as all those who owned land or houses would sell them, and bring the money from them, to present it to the apostles; it was then distributed to any members who might be in need. There was a Levite of Cypriot origin called Joseph whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He owned a piece of land and he sold it and brought the money, and presented it to the apostles.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1,14-21
R/ The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed.
The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed; the Lord has robed himself with might, he has girded himself with power.
The world you made firm, not to be moved; your throne has stood firm from of old. From all eternity, O Lord, you are.
Truly your decrees are to be trusted. Holiness is fitting to your house, O Lord, until the end of time.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Rv1:5
Alleluia, alleluia! You, O Christ, are the faithful witness, the First-born from the dead, you have loved us and have washed away our sins with your blood. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 3:7-15
Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’ ‘How can that be possible?’ asked Nicodemus. ‘You, a teacher in Israel, and you do not know these things!’ replied Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, we speak only about what we know and witness only to what we have seen and yet you people reject our evidence. If you do not believe me when I speak about things in this world, how are you going to believe me when I speak to you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, the saving sacrifice we offer in commemoration of Saint Catherine, so that, instructed by her teaching, we may give ever more fervent thanks to you, the one true God. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. 1 Jn 1: 7
If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
May the heavenly table at which we have been fed, O Lord, confer eternal life upon us, as even in this world it nourished the life of Saint Catherine. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
While medical experts associate the bronze snake with their profession, every Christian identifies the picture of the crucified Messiah as the emblem of their ultimate healing. Just like Moses raises the snake in the desert, the Son of Man must also be lifted up. In the wilderness, Moses instructs the victims of the deadly snake bite to gaze upon a lifeless bronze serpent for a cure and survival. Similarly, when afflicted by Satan or contaminated by sin, we can place our faith in the crucified Christ to experience profound and thorough healing. Jesus embodies and completes this unique desert encounter, possessing supreme mastery over all forms of healing. The depiction of the elevated snake also symbolises the ultimate act of sacrifice by Jesus on the cross when he was raised for the redemption of all humanity. Jesus triumphed over sin and mortality through his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection, bestowing upon us the blessing of renewed existence in his name.
by Norbert Doulanni | Apr 27, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Peter Chanel (1803 – 1841)
Psalter: Week II
White
He was born in France in 1803. He had been a priest for three years when he was accepted by the Marists and sent to evangelize the Pacific. There he was killed, becoming the first martyr of the South Seas.
Entrance Antiphon: Rm 6: 9
Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.
Collect
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who have been renewed by paschal remedies, transcending the likeness of our earthly parentage, may be transformed in the image of our heavenly maker. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Acts 4:23-31
As soon as Peter and John were released they went to the community and told them everything the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard it they lifted up their voice to God all together. ‘Master,’ they prayed ‘it is you who made heaven and earth and sea, and everything in them; you it is who said through the Holy Spirit and speaking through our ancestor David, your servant: Why this arrogance among the nations, these futile plots among the peoples? Kings on earth setting out to war, princes making an alliance, against the Lord and against his Anointed. ‘This is what has come true: in this very city Herod and Pontius Pilate made an alliance with the pagan nations and the peoples of Israel, against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, but only to bring about the very thing that you in your strength and your wisdom had predetermined should happen. And now, Lord, take note of their threats and help your servants to proclaim your message with all boldness, by stretching out your hand to heal and to work miracles and marvels through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ As they prayed, the house where they were assembled rocked; they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God boldly.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 2:1-9
R/ Blessed are they who put their trust in God.
Why this tumult among nations, among peoples this useless murmuring? They arise, the kings of the earth, princes plot against the Lord and his Anointed. ‘Come, let us break their fetters, come, let us cast off their yoke.’
He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord is laughing them to scorn. Then he will speak in his anger, his rage will strike them with terror. ‘It is I who have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.’
I will announce the decree of the Lord: The Lord said to me: ‘You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day. Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations, put the ends of the earth in your possession. With a rod of iron you will break them, shatter them like a potter’s jar.’
Gospel Acclamation: Col3:1
Alleluia, alleluia! Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 3:1-8
There was one of the Pharisees called Nicodemus, a leading Jew, who came to Jesus by night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who comes from God; for no one could perform the signs that you do unless God were with him.’ Jesus answered: ‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said, ‘How can a grown man be born? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’ Jesus replied: ‘I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God: what is born of the flesh is flesh; what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 20: 19
Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them: Peace be with you, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
There are numerous misconceptions today about being ” born again” or “born anew”. What does it mean to be born anew? In his discussion with Nicodemus, Jesus explains that this rebirth is not physical but spiritual – a transformation of the heart and soul. This rebirth happens through water and the Spirit, symbolising cleansing, and the gift of new life. This reminds us that Easter offers hope for the future and the possibility of change and renewal. At Easter, we celebrate this spiritual rebirth—the victory of life over death and light over darkness. Through His resurrection, Jesus offers us the opportunity to be born anew and to experience the transformative power of His love and grace in our lives. May this Easter season be a time of transformation, renewal, and a commitment to carry the light of Christ into the world, showing others the path to their own “born anew” experience.
by Norbert Doulanni | Apr 26, 2025 | Evangelium
2nd Sunday of Easter
Divine Mercy Sunday
Saint Asicus (c.490)
Psalter: Week II
White
He was born in France in 1803. He had been a priest for three years when he was accepted by the Marists and sent to evangelize the Pacific. There he was killed, becoming the first martyr of the South Seas.
Entrance Antiphon : 1 Pt 2: 2
Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk, that in him you may grow to salvation, alleluia.
Collect
God of everlasting mercy, who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast, kindle the faith of the people you have made your own, increase, we pray, the grace you have bestowed, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 5:12-16
The faithful all used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon. No one else ever dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily. So many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles that the sick were even taken out into the streets and laid on beds and sleeping-mats in the hope that at least the shadow of Peter might fall across some of them as he went past. People even came crowding in from the towns round about Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were cured.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117(118):2-4,22-27
R/ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
Let the sons of Israel say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let the sons of Aaron say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love has no end.’
The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
O Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light.
Second reading : Apocalypse 1:9-13, 17-19
My name is John, and through our union in Jesus I am your brother and share your sufferings, your kingdom, and all you endure. I was on the island of Patmos for having preached God’s word and witnessed for Jesus; it was the Lord’s day and the Spirit possessed me, and I heard a voice behind me, shouting like a trumpet, ‘Write down all that you see in a book.’ I turned round to see who had spoken to me, and when I turned I saw seven golden lamp-stands and, surrounded by them, a figure like a Son of man, dressed in a long robe tied at the waist with a golden girdle. When I saw him, I fell in a dead faint at his feet, but he touched me with his right hand and said, ‘Do not be afraid; it is I, the First and the Last; I am the Living One, I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of the underworld. Now write down all that you see of present happenings and things that are still to come.’
Gospel Acclamation : Jn 20:29
Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ Alleluia!
Gospel : John 20:19-31
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.’ As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’ After saying this he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’ Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, we pray, the oblations of your people, that, renewed by confession of your name and by Baptism, they may attain unending happiness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Jn 20: 27
Bring your hand and feel the place of the nails, and do not be unbelieving but believing, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that our reception of this paschal Sacrament may have a continuing effect in our minds and hearts. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Today, we celebrate the richness, meaning, participation, and application of God’s mercy, finding its fulfilment and its apex in the community. The readings highlight the central place of community, as portrayed in today’s Gospel, where Jesus commissions the apostles to forgive sins. The Gospel allows us to grasp the complete sense and value of this gift of God’s Mercy within the community. In John’s Gospel, we experience the same feelings as the Apostles when they encounter the resurrected Christ. In a captivating gesture, Jesus entrusts the scared and startled disciples with the task of serving as messengers of Divine Mercy: “He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’ “(Jn 20:22-23). After revealing to Thomas the wounds on his side, Jesus bestows upon them the gift of “forgiving sins,” a grace flowing from the wounds on His hands and feet. From that point on, all of humanity is showered with kindness.
by Norbert Doulanni | Apr 25, 2025 | Evangelium
Saint Peter Chanel (1803 – 1841)
Psalter: Week II
White
He was born in France in 1803. He had been a priest for three years when he was accepted by the Marists and sent to evangelize the Pacific. There he was killed, becoming the first martyr of the South Seas.
Entrance Antiphon : Ps 104: 43
The Lord led his people in hope, while the sea engulfed their foes, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who by the abundance of your grace, give increase to the peoples who believe in you, look with favour on those you have chosen and clothe with blessed immortality those reborn through the Sacrament of Baptism. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 4:13-21
The rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. So they ordered them to stand outside while the Sanhedrin had a private discussion. ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘It is obvious to everybody in Jerusalem that a miracle has been worked through them in public, and we cannot deny it. But to stop the whole thing spreading any further among the people, let us caution them never to speak to anyone in this name again.’ So they called them in and gave them a warning on no account to make statements or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John retorted, ‘You must judge whether in God’s eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.’ The court repeated the warnings and then released them; they could not think of any way to punish them, since all the people were giving glory to God for what had happened.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1,14-21
R/ I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. The Lord is my strength and my song; he was my saviour. There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just.
The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; his right hand raised me up. I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds. I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die.
Open to me the gates of holiness: I will enter and give thanks. This is the Lord’s own gate where the just may enter. I will thank you for you have answered and you are my saviour.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel : Mark 16:9-15
Having risen in the morning on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven devils. She then went to those who had been his companions, and who were mourning and in tears, and told them. But they did not believe her when they heard her say that he was alive and that she had seen him. After this, he showed himself under another form to two of them as they were on their way into the country. These went back and told the others, who did not believe them either. Lastly, he showed himself to the Eleven themselves while they were at table. He reproached them for their incredulity and obstinacy, because they had refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them, ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Gal 3: 27
All of you who have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Mark provides a summary of Jesus’
post-resurrection appearances,
highlighting a notable th me: the initial disbelief of the Eleven in response to reports from Mary Magdalene and the disciples from Emmaus. Subsequently, when Jesus appears to them, he rebukes their unbelief and hardness of heart. In a world filled with darkness, despair, and uncertainty, the Resurrection message brings hope, joy, and new life. It is a message that resonates with the deepest longings of the human heart, promising redemption and salvation to all who believe. The essence of Easter is encapsulated in Jesus’ final command in Saint Mark’s Gospel: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.” This command goes beyond mere rememberance of the tomb; it beckons us to actively share the life-giving news of the Resurrection! In this Easter season, let us acknowledge our moments of doubt, recognising that Christ walks with us. In the same light, let us embrace the role of witnesses, carrying the light of the Resurrection into the world. By sharing our joy and hope, we become agents of belief in the Good News for those around us.
by Norbert Doulanni | Apr 24, 2025 | Evangelium
SAINT MARK the Evangelist
Psalter: Week I
White
He was a cousin of Barnabas and accompanied the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey; later he followed him to Rome. He is credited with founding the Church in Alexandria.
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 77: 53
The Lord led his people in hope, while the sea engulfed their foes, alleluia.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, who gave us the Paschal Mystery in the covenant you established for reconciling the human race, so dispose our minds, we pray, that what we celebrate by professing the faith, we may express in deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 4:1-12
While Peter and John were talking to the people the priests came up to them, accompanied by the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees. They were extremely annoyed at their teaching the people the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. They arrested them, but as it was already late, they held them till the next day. But many of those who had listened to their message became believers, the total number of whom had now risen to something like five thousand. The next day the rulers, elders and Scribes had a meeting in Jerusalem with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, Jonathan, Alexander and all the members of the high-priestly families. They made the prisoners stand in the middle and began to interrogate them, ‘By what power, and by whose name have you men done this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, ‘Rulers of the people, and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all, and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence, today. This is the stone rejected by you the builders, but which has proved to be the keystone. For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1-2,4,22-27
R/ The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end. Let the sons of Israel say: ‘His love has no end.’ Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love has no end.’
The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad.
O Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 21:1-14
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night. It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land. As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
Prayer over the Offerings
Perfect within us, O Lord, we pray, the solemn exchange brought about by these paschal offerings, that we may be drawn from earthly desires to a longing for the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Jn 21: 12-13
Jesus said to his disciples: Come and eat. And he took bread and gave it to them, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those whom you have saved by your kindness that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
The beautiful encounter between Jesus and His disciples reaches its culmination in a shared breakfast. After a night of unsuccessful fishing, they follow Jesus’ instruction to cast their into the deep, the result is a miraculous catch of fish. Yet, what is more captivating in this scene is that as they come ashore, they find Jesus preparing a fire and cooking fish to share. This shared breakfast transcends the fact of sharing a meal, it symbolises communion and fellowship with the risen Christ. In partaking of this meal, the disciples move into a deeper relationship with their Lord, one marked by intimacy, hospitality, and love. While not explicitly mentioned in the Gospel today, we foresee that the invitation, “Come and have breakfast,” will soon transform into “Feed my sheep.” Jesus is preparing to entrust Peter with a mission. His breakfast invitation is not merely an offer of food; it serves as a summons to relationship, mission, and purpose. Much like the disciples, we too are called to leave behind our empty nets and step into a life filled with the abundance of Christ’s presence.
by Norbert Doulanni | Apr 23, 2025 | Evangelium
Saints Fidelis of Sigmaringen
(1578 – 1622)
Psalter: Week I
White
He was born in Sigmaringen in Germany. He joined the Capuchin Friars at the age of 35 and led a harsh life of prayer and vigils. He was murdered by a Calvinist mob at Seewis on 24 April 1622.
Entrance Antiphon : Wis 10: 20-21
They praised in unison your conquering hand, O Lord, for wisdom opened mouths that were mute and gave eloquence to the tongues of infants, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who have united the many nations in confessing your name, grant that those reborn in the font of Baptism may be one in the faith of their hearts and the homage of their deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 3:11-26
Everyone came running towards Peter and John in great excitement, to the Portico of Solomon, as it is called, where the man was still clinging to Peter and John. When Peter saw the people he addressed them, ‘Why are you so surprised at this? Why are you staring at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or holiness? You are Israelites, and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had decided to release him. It was you who accused the Holy One, the Just One, you who demanded the reprieve of a murderer while you killed the prince of life. God, however, raised him from the dead, and to that fact we are the witnesses; and it is the name of Jesus which, through our faith in it, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in that name that has restored this man to health, as you can all see. ‘Now I know, brothers, that neither you nor your leaders had any idea what you were really doing; this was the way God carried out what he had foretold, when he said through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer. Now you must repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, and so that the Lord may send the time of comfort. Then he will send you the Christ he has predestined, that is Jesus, whom heaven must keep till the universal restoration comes which God proclaimed, speaking through his holy prophets. Moses, for example, said: The Lord God will raise up a prophet like myself for you, from among your own brothers; you must listen to whatever he tells you. The man who does not listen to that prophet is to be cut off from the people. In fact, all the prophets that have ever spoken, from Samuel onwards, have predicted these days. ‘You are the heirs of the prophets, the heirs of the covenant God made with our ancestors when he told Abraham: in your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed. It was for you in the first place that God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 8:2,5-9
R/ How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth!
How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth! What is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him little less than a god; with glory and honour you crowned him, gave him power over the works of your hand, put all things under his feet.
All of them, sheep and cattle, yes, even the savage beasts, birds of the air, and fish that make their way through the waters.
Gospel Acclamation : Ps117:24
Alleluia, alleluia! This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!
Gospel : Luke 24:35-48
The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread. They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes. Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.’ He then opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and he said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.
Prayer over the Offerings
Graciously be pleased, O Lord, to accept the sacrificial gifts we offer joyfully both for those who have been reborn and in hope of your increased help from heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. 1 Pt 2: 9
O chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of him, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that this most holy exchange, by which you have redeemed us, may bring your help in this present life and ensure for us eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Our Gospel today presents the Risen Jesus appearing among His disciples, offering them peace and showing them His hands and feet as tangible proof of His Resurrection. This encounter transforms the disciples, dispelling their doubts, and they return to Jerusalem with eagerness to share their profound experiences. They become fervent witnesses to the Resurrection, proclaiming the good news with newfound conviction. This narrative serves as a reminder that we, too, are called to be witnesses, spreading the love and hope of Christ to the world. Jesus commissions His disciples to bear witness to His Resurrection. In a world marked by doubt, fear, and uncertainty, the message of the Resurrection brings forth hope, joy, and peace. It is a message that calls us to believe in the power of God to overcome sin and death and it encourages us to live our lives in the radiant light of this truth. May the Risen Christ fill our hearts with the same joy and excitement the disciples experience when they encounter the Risen Christ. Let us continue to share the Good News with all those we encounter, becoming messengers of hope and bearers of the Resurrection message.
