Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter

• First Reading - Acts 9:31-42: The believers in the region of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced peace and growth as they were encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Peter healed a paralyzed man in Lydda and brought a woman named Tabitha back to life in Joppa, causing many people to believe in the Lord.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 116: How can I repay the Lord's vast kindness? I'll raise the cup of salvation, thank Him, fulfill my vows, and offer thanksgiving, acknowledging how precious His followers are to Him.
• Gospel - John 6:60-69: Many of Jesus' disciples were having difficulty accepting his teaching about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, leading them to leave him. However, Peter affirmed his faith in Jesus as the Holy One of God, stating that he had come to believe and know that Jesus had the words of eternal life.

Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 

John 6:68

For Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter, the readings show us the growth of the early Church and the challenge of accepting Jesus' teachings.

• Church grows with the Holy Spirit: The early Christians in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria grow stronger in their faith because of the Holy Spirit. This tells us that the Holy Spirit helps the Church grow.
• Miracles lead to belief: Peter performs miracles, like healing a paralyzed man and bringing Tabitha back to life. These miracles help many people believe in Jesus. It shows that God's work through the apostles brings people to faith.
• Hard teachings test faith: Some of Jesus' followers find His teachings about the Eucharist, which involves eating his flesh and drinking his blood, too hard and leave. This shows us that following Jesus can be difficult and may test our faith.
• Peter's faith in Jesus: Despite the hard teachings, Peter stays with Jesus. He believes Jesus has the words of eternal life. This teaches us about the importance of staying faithful to Jesus, even when it's hard.
• Jesus as the source of life: Jesus' teaching about being the bread of life is central. Peter understands that only Jesus gives eternal life. This reminds us to look to Jesus for spiritual nourishment and life.

In summary, the readings for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter remind us that the Church grows with the help of the Holy Spirit, that miracles can lead people to faith, that Jesus' teachings can be challenging but are crucial for eternal life, and that staying faithful to Jesus is essential, as He is the source of eternal life.

The Mass readings for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter invite us to reflect on the power of faith, the transformative nature of God's grace, and the gift of the Eucharist

In the first reading from Acts 9:31-42, we see how the community of believers in Lydda and Sharon were strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and how Peter was used as an instrument of God's healing power to raise Tabitha from the dead. This miraculous event led many people to believe in the Lord, and the news of this miracle spread throughout the region.

In the Gospel reading from John 6:60-69, we see how Jesus' teaching on the bread of life caused many of his disciples to question their faith. Jesus' words were challenging and difficult to understand, and some of his followers even turned away from him. But Peter, speaking on behalf of the Twelve, declared his faith in Jesus, saying, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

We understand that Jesus' words about the bread of life were pointing to the gift of the Eucharist, where we receive the true body and blood of Christ in the form of bread and wine. Through this sacrament, we are nourished and strengthened in our faith, and we are united with Christ and with one another as members of his body.

As we reflect on these readings, we are reminded that faith is not always easy. It requires us to trust in God's plan even when we don't understand it, and to be willing to follow him even when the path is difficult. Like Peter, we must be willing to declare our faith in Jesus, even when others turn away. We must trust that God's grace is sufficient to sustain us, even in the midst of trials and challenges.

At the same time, we are also reminded that God's grace is powerful and transformative, and it is through the gift of the Eucharist that we are able to receive this grace in a tangible way. Through the Eucharist, we are able to participate in the life and mission of Christ, sharing his love and mercy with those around us.

As we continue our journey through the Easter season, let us renew our commitment to faith in Jesus Christ and to the gift of the Eucharist, trusting in his grace to guide us and transform us into the people he has called us to be. May we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of God's love and mercy in the world, bringing hope and healing to all those we encounter.

Prayer for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Heavenly Father, help us to trust in your plan and to follow you faithfully, even when the path is difficult. May the gift of the Eucharist nourish and strengthen our faith, empowering us to be witnesses of your love and mercy in the world. Amen.

Word on Fire: The Whole Point

On Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter, Bishop Barron reflects on how Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist caused division among His followers, as many left Him when He spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. This division mirrors the reactions to Jesus Himself, indicating the Eucharist's profound and contentious nature throughout history. Yet, Peter's response to Jesus, recognizing Him as the bearer of eternal life, is highlighted as the foundational Catholic response, emphasizing faith and commitment to Christ despite challenges or misunderstandings.

USCCB Reflection: Make Your Bed

The USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter draws inspiration from Admiral William McRaven's advice to "start off by making your bed" as a step towards changing the world, linking it to the biblical story of Aeneas, whom Peter heals, telling him to "get up and make your bed." This narrative underscores the importance of starting each day with a purposeful action, reflecting the broader theme of the Easter season where the disciples actively build the church, highlighting the spirit's life-giving power and the call to action in faith and service.

What date is Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

The Mass readings for Friday April 19, 2024 are:
First Reading - Acts 9:31-42: Peter's Healing Ministry in Lydda and Sharon
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 116: Gratitude for God's Kindness
Gospel - John 6:60-69: Peter's Confession of Faith in the Bread of Life

What is described in the first reading for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

The first reading describes peace and growth among believers in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, Peter healing a paralyzed man and raising Tabitha from the dead, leading many to believe in the Lord.

What miracle does Peter perform in Lydda, according to the first reading for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

Peter heals a paralyzed man named Aeneas, telling him, "Jesus Christ heals you."

Who is Tabitha, and what happens to her in the first reading for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

Tabitha is a woman in Joppa who was full of good works and acts of charity. After dying, she is brought back to life by Peter's prayer.

What effect do Peter's miracles have on the community, based on the first reading for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

Peter's miracles of healing and raising Tabitha from the dead lead many people in Lydda and Joppa to believe in the Lord.

How does the Church experience growth in the first reading for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

The Church experiences growth through the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the miracles performed by Peter, and the spreading of faith among the people.

How do Jesus' disciples react to His teaching in the Gospel for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

Many of Jesus' disciples find His teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood difficult to accept and decide to stop following Him.

What does Peter say to Jesus in the Gospel for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

Peter affirms his faith in Jesus as the Holy One of God, stating that he and the apostles believe and know that Jesus has the words of eternal life.

Why do some disciples leave Jesus, according to the Gospel for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

Some disciples leave Jesus because they cannot understand or accept His teaching about the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood for eternal life.

What is the significance of Peter's faith declaration in the Gospel for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

Peter's declaration signifies unwavering faith in Jesus amidst confusion and doubt, highlighting the importance of trust and belief in Jesus' teachings for eternal life.

What lesson can we learn from the reactions of Jesus' disciples in the Gospel for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter?

This teaches us about the challenges of faith and understanding Jesus' teachings, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and belief in Jesus as the source of eternal life.