Mass Readings for April 3, 2024

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Acts 3:1-10
Psalms 105:1-4,6-9
Luke 24:13-35

Acts 3:1-10
(1) Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. (2) A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple. (3) Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy. (4) Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.” (5) He listened to them, expecting to receive something from them. (6) But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” (7) He took him by the right hand, and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength. (8) Leaping up, he stood, and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God. (9) All the people saw him walking and praising God. (10) They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Psalms 105:1-4,6-9
(1) Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name! Make his doings known among the peoples. (2) Sing to him, sing praises to him! Tell of all his marvelous works. (3) Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. (4) Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. (6) you offspring of Abraham, his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. (7) He is Yahweh, our God. His judgments are in all the earth. (8) He has remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, (9) the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac,

Luke 24:13-35
(13) Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. (14) They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. (15) While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. (16) But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. (17) He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?” (18) One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?” (19) He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; (20) and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. (21) But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. (22) Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; (23) and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. (24) Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.” (25) He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! (26) Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” (27) Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (28) They came near to the village, where they were going, and he acted like he would go further. (29) They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them. (30) When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. (31) Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished out of their sight. (32) They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” (33) They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, (34) saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (35) They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

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Prayer Petitions for April 3, 2024

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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Watch Pope Francis’ April Prayer Intention for Women

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Pope Francis shared his monthly prayer intention video for April, urging the faithful to pray for women worldwide.

Pope Francis’ Worldwide Prayer Network of the Apostleship of Prayer developed “The Pope Video” initiative in 2016 as a way to spread the Holy Father’s monthly prayer intentions on the challenges humanity faces in a video based format.

Read below the full transcribed prayer intention of Pope Francis, and watch “The Pope Video” for April!

“In many parts of the world, women are treated like the first thing to get rid of.

There are countries where women are forbidden to access aid, open a business, or go to school. In these places, they are subject to laws that make them dress a certain way. And in many countries, genital mutilation is still practiced.

Let us not deprive women of their voice. Let us not rob all these abused women of their voice. They are exploited, marginalized.

In theory, we all agree that men and women have the same dignity as persons. But this does not play out in practice.

Governments need to commit to eliminate discriminatory laws everywhere and to work toward guaranteeing women’s human rights.

Let us respect women. Let us respect their dignity, their basic rights. And if we don’t, our society will not progress.

Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.”

Editorial credit: Nancy Bauer / Shutterstock.com
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Mass Readings for April 2, 2024

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Acts 2:36-41
Psalms 33:4-5,18-20,22
John 20:11-18

Acts 2:36-41
(36) “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (37) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (38) Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” (40) With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” (41) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

Psalms 33:4-5,18-20,22
(4) For Yahweh’s word is right. All his work is done in faithfulness. (5) He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loving kindness of Yahweh. (18) Behold, Yahweh’s eye is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his loving kindness; (19) to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in famine. (20) Our soul has waited for Yahweh. He is our help and our shield. (22) Let your loving kindness be on us, Yahweh, since we have hoped in you.

John 20:11-18
(11) But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, (12) and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13) They told her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” (14) When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” (16) Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!” (17) Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (18) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.

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Prayer Petitions for April 2, 2024

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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DC Cardinal Gregory Critiques President Biden’s Selective Adherence to Catholic Faith

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Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, critiqued President Joe Biden during a recent appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

Gregory used the term “cafeteria Catholic” to describe Biden’s selective adherence to the teachings of the Church, suggesting that the president embraces aspects of the faith that align with his political views while sidelining others. “Like a number of Catholics, he picks and chooses dimensions of the faith to highlight,” Gregory said.

In the televised interview, which also featured Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of Washington, Gregory expanded on his thoughts, acknowledging Biden’s sincerity in his faith. However, the Cardinal emphasized the president’s reluctance to fully embrace the Church’s teachings, especially on life issues. “There are things that he chooses to ignore,” Gregory said.

Gregory specifically addressed Biden’s stance on abortion. Despite Biden’s regular attendance at Mass and public declarations of faith, Gregory implied that a comprehensive commitment to life, from conception to natural death, is essential for a Catholic. “You’re either one who respects life in all of its dimensions, or you have to step aside,” he argued.

Gregory concluded he wouldn’t be “at all surprised” to learn that Pope Francis has discussed these issues with Biden.

While Gregory has previously resisted moves to deny Communion to politicians like Biden, his comments highlight ongoing tensions between the Church’s teachings and the political positions adopted by some of its members.

Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
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April Fools! Did You Know the Day of Pranks & Jokes Was Started by a Catholic Pope?

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April Fools Day: the annual day popular around the world full of practical jokes, pranks, and hoaxes culminating in the jokester shouting “April Fools!” at the victim. Did you know that April Fools Day, also known as All Fool’s Day, started over 400 years ago because of Pope Gregory XIII?

In October of 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar that an overwhelming majority of the world uses today. His calendar moved the start of the new year from March 25th to January 1st, but not everyone was so quick to adopt the changed calendar.

Throughout towns in Europe and especially in France, the new year used to be celebrated for a whole week beginning on March 25th and lasting until April 1st. Those who didn’t get the news or continued to celebrate the new year under the old calendar became the butt of jokes and were labeled fools.

In France, this mockery included putting a paper fish on the fool’s back, a poisson d’avril, or April’s fish, said to symbolize a young, easily ‘hooked’ fish and a gullible person.

“In one of the oldest forms that this trick took, several persons would conspire to send the victim on a fool’s errand from conspirator to another – so the person with the fish on his back would be sent out on a fool’s errand.” 

Why a fish? April 1st is a day traditionally held as the beginning of Christ’s public ministry, and the fish is traditionally associated with Christ (read why here) – hence, the April’s fish. The poisson d’avril gag evolved into what you might recognize today as the “kick me” sign gag pinned on people’s backs.

On April Fools Day, don’t be afraid to pull some (good-natured!) pranks on your friends and family: you’d be in the company of saints! Saint Philip Neri and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati were known to be great jokesters.

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Pope Francis Delivers Message of Hope in 2024 Easter “Urbi et Orbi” Blessing

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On Easter Sunday 2024, Pope Francis delivered his annual “Urbi et Orbi” blessing and message at St. Peter’s Square. This year’s address highlighted prayers for peace and the well-being of those suffering from conflicts and hardships worldwide, with special mentions of the Holy Land, Ukraine, Myanmar, and other regions experiencing turmoil.

In his “Urbi et Orbi” message, Pope Francis focused on the theme of renewal, invoking the resurrection of Jesus as a symbol of hope and new beginnings. He addressed global concerns, including war, humanitarian crises, and the rights of the unborn, calling for universal solidarity and action towards peace and reconciliation.

Read below the English translation of the Urbi Et Orbi Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Easter 2024 provided by the Vatican here:

Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!

Today throughout the world there resounds the message proclaimed two thousand years ago from Jerusalem: “Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, has been raised!” (Mk 16:6).

The Church relives the amazement of the women who went to the tomb at dawn on the first day of the week. The tomb of Jesus had been sealed with a great stone. Today too, great stones, heavy stones, block the hopes of humanity: the stone of war, the stone of humanitarian crises, the stone of human rights violations, the stone of human trafficking, and other stones as well. Like the women disciples of Jesus, we ask one another: “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” (cf. Mk 16:3).

This is the amazing discovery of that Easter morning: the stone, the immense stone, was rolled away. The astonishment of the women is our astonishment as well: the tomb of Jesus is open and it is empty! From this, everything begins anew! A new path leads through that empty tomb: the path that none of us, but God alone, could open: the path of life in the midst of death, the path of peace in the midst of war, the path of reconciliation in the midst of hatred, the path of fraternity in the midst of hostility.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is risen! He alone has the power to roll away the stones that block the path to life. He, the living One, is himself that path. He is the Way: the way that leads to life, the way of peace, reconciliation and fraternity. He opens that path, humanly impossible, because he alone takes away the sin of the world and forgives us our sins. For without God’s forgiveness, that stone cannot be removed. Without the forgiveness of sins, there is no overcoming the barriers of prejudice, mutual recrimination, the presumption that we are always right and others wrong. Only the risen Christ, by granting us the forgiveness of our sins, opens the way for a renewed world.

Jesus alone opens up before us the doors of life, those doors that continually we shut with the wars spreading throughout the world. Today we want, first and foremost, to turn our eyes to the Holy City of Jerusalem, that witnessed the mystery of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, and to all the Christian communities of the Holy Land.

My thoughts go especially to the victims of the many conflicts worldwide, beginning with those in Israel and Palestine, and in Ukraine. May the risen Christ open a path of peace for the war-torn peoples of those regions. In calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for the sake of all!

I appeal once again that access to humanitarian aid be ensured to Gaza, and call once more for the prompt release of the hostages seized on 7 October last and for an immediate cease-fire in the Strip.

Let us not allow the current hostilities to continue to have grave repercussions on the civil population, by now at the limit of its endurance, and above all on the children. How much suffering we see in the eyes of the children: the children in those lands at war have forgotten how to smile! With those eyes, they ask us: Why? Why all this death? Why all this destruction? War is always an absurdity, war is always a defeat! Let us not allow the strengthening winds of war to blow on Europe and the Mediterranean. Let us not yield to the logic of weapons and rearming. Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts.

Brothers and sisters, let us not forget Syria, which for thirteen years has suffered from the effects of a long and devastating war. So many deaths and disappearances, so much poverty and destruction, call for a response on the part of everyone, and of the international community.

My thoughts turn today in a special way to Lebanon, which has for some time experienced institutional impasse and a deepening economic and social crisis, now aggravated by the hostilities on its border with Israel. May the Risen Lord console the beloved Lebanese people and sustain the entire country in its vocation to be a land of encounter, coexistence and pluralism.

I also think in particular of the region of the Western Balkans, where significant steps are being taken towards integration in the European project. May ethnic, cultural and confessional differences not be a cause of division, but rather a source of enrichment for all of Europe and for the world as a whole.

I likewise encourage the discussions taking place between Armenia and Azerbaijan, so that, with the support of the international community, they can pursue dialogue, assist the displaced, respect the places of worship of the various religious confessions, and arrive as soon as possible at a definitive peace agreement.

May the risen Christ open a path of hope to all those who in other parts of the world are suffering from violence, conflict, food insecurity and the effects of climate change. May the Lord grant consolation to the victims of terrorism in all its forms. Let us pray for all those who have lost their lives and implore the repentance and conversion of the perpetrators of those crimes.

May the risen Lord assist the Haitian people, so that there can soon can be an end to the acts of violence, devastation and bloodshed in that country, and that it can advance on the path to democracy and fraternity.

May Christ grant consolation and strength to the Rohingya, beset by a grave humanitarian crisis, and open a path to reconciliation in Myanmar, torn for years now by internal conflicts, so that every logic of violence may be definitively abandoned.

May the Lord open paths of peace on the African continent, especially for the suffering peoples in Sudan and in the entire region of the Sahel, in the Horn of Africa, in the region of Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the province of Capo Delgado in Mozambique, and bring an end to the prolonged situation of drought which affects vast areas and provokes famine and hunger.

May the Risen One make the light of his face shine upon migrants and on all those who are passing through a period of economic difficulty, and offer them consolation and hope in their moment of need. May Christ guide all persons of good will to unite themselves in solidarity, in order to address together the many challenges which loom over the poorest families in their search for a better life and happiness.

On this day when we celebrate the life given us in the resurrection of the Son, let us remember the infinite love of God for each of us: a love that overcomes every limit and every weakness. And yet how much the precious gift of life is despised! How many children cannot even be born? How many die of hunger and are deprived of essential care or are victims of abuse and violence? How many lives are made objects of trafficking for the increasing commerce in human beings?

Brothers and sisters, on the day when Christ has set us free from the slavery of death, I appeal to all who have political responsibilities to spare no efforts in combatting the scourge of human trafficking, by working tirelessly to dismantle the networks of exploitation and to bring freedom to those who are their victims. May the Lord comfort their families, above all those who anxiously await news of their loved ones, and ensure them comfort and hope.

May the light of the resurrection illumine our minds and convert our hearts, and make us aware of the value of every human life, which must be welcomed, protected and loved.

A happy Easter to all!

Editorial credit: dominika zara / Shutterstock.com | Text credit: via Holy See Press Office
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Could This Be the Earliest Easter Hymn?

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The Paschal Troparion, identified by its opening line “Christ is risen”, is an early Christian hymn celebrating Easter, likely dating back to the 2nd century. Its text is derived from 1 Corinthians 15:20, emphasizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

This hymn has been integral to the Paschal Divine Liturgy within the Byzantine Rite since at least the 5th or 6th century. Its historical usage is confirmed by the Jerusalem tropologion, suggesting its performance during the Easter Vigil in ancient Jerusalem’s Easter liturgy.

Traditionally chanted in the original Koine Greek, the Paschal Troparion transcends linguistic boundaries, often performed in local and vernacular languages. Its profound impact on Easter liturgies echoes through centuries of Church history, embodying the quintessential expression of Christian joy and the victory of life over death.

Pray below the Paschal troparian:

Christ is risen from the dead,
by death trampling death,
and to those in the tombs
granting life!

Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
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Mass Readings for April 1, 2024

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Acts 2:14,22-33
Psalms 16:1-2,5,7-11
Matthew 28:8-15

Acts 2:14,22-33
(14) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. (22) “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know, (23) him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; (24) whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. (25) For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. (26) Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope; (27) because you will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay. (28) You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ (29) “Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. (30) Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, (31) he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that his soul wasn’t left in Hades, and his flesh didn’t see decay. (32) This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. (33) Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.

Psalms 16:1-2,5,7-11
(1) Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge. (2) My soul, you have said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.” (5) Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure. (7) I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. (8) I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety. (10) For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption. (11) You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.

Matthew 28:8-15
(8) They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. (9) As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. (10) Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.” (11) Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all the things that had happened. (12) When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers, (13) saying, “Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. (14) If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.” (15) So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until today.

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