Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 04-27-19, Saturday in the Octave of Easter

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 04-27-19 | Revised New American Bible

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April 27 2019

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 4:13-21

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.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21

R.(21a) I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. 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.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
"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.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
R. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 16:9-15

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."

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For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

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From: Acts 4:13-21

Address To the Sanhedrin (Continuation)

---

[13] Now when they (the Sanhedrin) saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they re-
cognized that they had been with Jesus. [14] But seeing the man that had been
healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. [15] But
when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred
with one another, [16] saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a no-
table sign has been performed through them is manifest to all the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. [17] But in order that it may spread no further
among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this Name.”
[18] So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the
name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in
the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God you must judge; [20] for we
cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” [21] And when they had fur-
ther threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because
of the people; for all men praised God for what had happened.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

13. The members of the Sanhedrin are surprised by Peter’s confidence and by
the way these men, who are not well versed in the Law, are able to use Sacred
Scripture. “Did not the Apostles,” (St. John) Chrysostom asks in admiration,
“poor and without earthly weapons, enter into battle against enemies who were
fully armed [...]? Without experience, without skill of the tongue, they fought
against experts in rhetoric and the language of the academies” (”Hom. on Acts”,
4).
18-20. In one of his homilies Bl. John Paul II gives us a practical commentary
on this passage, which help us see the right order of priorities and give pride of
place to the things of God: “Whereas the elders of Israel charge the Apostles not
to speak about Christ, God, on the other hand, does not allow them to remain si-
lent. [...] In Peter’s few sentences we find a full testimony to the Resurrection of
the Lord. [...] The word of the living God addressed to men obliges us more than
any other human commandment or purpose. This word carries with it the su-
preme eloquence of truth, it carries the authority of God Himself. [...]

“Peter and the Apostles are before the Sanhedrin. They are completely and ab-
solutely certain that God Himself has spoken in Christ, and has spoken definitely
through His Cross and Resurrection. Peter and the Apostles to whom this truth
was directly given — as also those who in their time received the Holy Spirit —
must bear witness to it. Believing means accepting with complete conviction the
truth that comes from God, drawing support from the grace of the Holy Spirit
‘whom God has given to those who obey Him’ (Acts 5:32) to accept what God
has revealed and what comes to us through the Church in its living transmission,
that is, in Tradition. The organ of this Tradition is the teaching of Peter and of the
Apostles and of their successors.

“Over the centuries the sanhedrins change which seek to impose silence, aban-
donment or distortion of this truth. The “sanhedrins of the contemporary world”
are many and of all types. These sanhedrins are each and every person who re-
jects divine truth; they are systems of human thought, of human knowledge; they
are various “conceptions of the world” and also the various programs of human
behavior; they are also the different “forms of pressure” used by so-called public
opinion, mass civilization, media of social communication, which are materialist
or secular agnostic or anti-religious; they are, finally, certain contemporary “sys-
tems of government” which—if they do not totally deprive citizens of scope to pro-
fess the faith — at least limit that scope in different ways, marginalize believers
and turn them into second-class citizens...and against all these modern types of
the Sanhedrin of that time, the response of faith is always the same: ‘We must
obey God rather than men’ (Acts 5:29)” (”Homily”, 20 April 1980).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

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From: Mark 16:9-15

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene and to Two Disciples

---

[9] Now when He (Jesus) rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared
first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast our seven demons. [10] She
went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. [11]
But when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they would
not believe it.

[12] After this He appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking
into the country. [13] And they went back and told the rest, but they did not be-
lieve them.

Jesus Appears to the Eleven. The Apostles’ Mission

---

[14] Afterwards He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they sat at table; and
He upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not
believed those who saw Him after He had risen. [15] And He said to them, “Go
into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

11-14. When reporting these first appearances of the risen Jesus, St. Mark stres-
ses the disciples’ disbelief and their reluctance to accept the fact of the Resurrec-
tion, even though Jesus foretold it (cf. Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34). This resistance
shown by the Apostles is a further guarantee of the truth of Jesus’ resurrection;
they were to be direct, specially-appointed witnesses to the risen Christ, yet they
were reluctant to accept this role. They had personal, direct proof of the truth of
the Resurrection.

However, our Lord will say: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet be-
lieve” (John 20:29). In the Apostles’ case, they needed, in addition to faith in the
risen Christ, clear evidence of His resurrection, for they were to be the eye-wit-
nesses, key witnesses who would proclaim it as an irrefutable fact. In this con-
nection Pope St. Gregory the Great comments: “The reason why the disciples
were slow to believe in the Resurrection was not so much due to their weakness
as to our future firmness in the faith; what other purposes does this have (the
very Resurrection being demonstrated by many arguments to those who were in
doubt) than that our faith should be strengthened by their doubt?” (”In Evangelia
Homilae”, 16).

12. Our Lord’s appearance to these two disciples is reported more fully by St.
Luke (cf. 24:13-35).

15. This verse contains what is called the “universal apostolic mandate” (paral-
leled by Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 24:46-48). This is an imperative command
from Christ to His Apostles to preach the Gospel to the whole world. This same
apostolic mission applies, especially to the Apostles’ successors, the bishops
in communion with Peter’s successor, the Pope.

But this mission extends further: the whole “Church was founded to spread the
Kingdom of Christ over all the earth for the glory of God the Father, to make all
men partakers in redemption and salvation ...Every activity of the Mystical Body
with this in view goes by the name of ‘apostolate’; the Church exercises it through
all its members, though in various ways. In fact, the Christian vocation is, of its
nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well. In the organism of a living body no
member plays a purely passive part, sharing in the life of the body it shares at
the same time in its activity. The same is true for the body of Christ, the Church:
‘the whole body achieves full growth in dependence on the full functioning of each
part’ (Ephesians 4:16). Between the members of this body there exists, further,
such a unity and solidarity (cf. Ephesians 4:16) that a member who does not
work at the growth of the body to the extent of his possibilities must be con-
sidered useless both to the Church and to himself.

“In the Church there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles
and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and
governing in His name and by His power. But the laity are made to share in the
priestly, prophetical and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church
and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole people of God”
(Vatican II, “Apostolicam Actuositatem”, 2).

It is true that God acts directly on each person’s soul through grace, but it must
also be said that it is Christ’s will (expressed here and elsewhere) that men
should be an instrument or vehicle of salvation for others.

Vatican II also teaches this: “On all Christians, accordingly, rests the noble obli-
gation of working to bring all men throughout the whole world to hear and accept
the divine message of salvation” (”ibid.”, 3).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

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Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White.

---

First reading	Acts 4:13-21 ©

We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard

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(118):1,14-21 ©

I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.

or

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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.

I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.

or

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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.

I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.

or

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

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.

I will thank you, Lord, for you have given answer.

or

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Sequence

Christians, to the Paschal Victim

  offer sacrifice and praise.

The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;

and Christ, the undefiled,

hath sinners to his Father reconciled.

Death with life contended:

  combat strangely ended!

Life’s own Champion, slain,

  yet lives to reign.

Tell us, Mary:

  say what thou didst see

  upon the way.

The tomb the Living did enclose;

I saw Christ’s glory as he rose!

The angels there attesting;

shroud with grave-clothes resting.

Christ, my hope, has risen:

he goes before you into Galilee.

That Christ is truly risen

  from the dead we know.

Victorious king, thy mercy show!

---

Gospel Acclamation	Ps117:24

Alleluia, alleluia!

This day was made by the Lord:

we rejoice and are glad.

Alleluia!

---

Gospel	Mark 16:9-15 ©

Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News

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.’

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Jesus, High Priest

 

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem.  He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

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Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

6. Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Joyful Mysteries

(Mondays and Saturdays)

1. The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) [Spiritual fruit - Humility]
2. The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-56) [Spiritual fruit - Love of Neighbor]
3. The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) [Spiritual fruit - Poverty of Spirit]
4. The Presentation (Luke 2:21-38) [Spiritual fruit - Purity of mind & body]
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) [Spiritual fruit - Obedience ]

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St. Michael the Archangel

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
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