Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter

Daily Mass Readings for Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter

• First Reading - Acts 13:13-25: Paul and his companions travel to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem. They then travel to Antioch in Pisidia, where Paul delivers a sermon in the synagogue, tracing the history of Israel and proclaiming Jesus as the promised Savior.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 89: This is a psalm of praise to God's goodness and faithfulness. The psalmist declares that he will sing of God's kindness forever, and reflects on God's anointing of David as his servant and the source of his strength. The psalmist also proclaims that God's faithfulness and mercy will be with David, exalting him through his name
• Gospel - John 13:16-20: Jesus teaches his disciples about humility and servant leadership, explaining that no servant is greater than his master. He also identifies Judas as the one who will betray him and assures his disciples that whoever receives him also receives the one who sent him.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter

• Missionary work: Both readings describe the travels of Jesus' disciples and their efforts to spread the message of the gospel. In Acts 13:13-25, Paul and his companions journey to various cities, sharing the good news of Jesus with both Jews and Gentiles. In John 13:16-20, Jesus prepares his disciples for their own travels, reminding them that they will not always be with him in person but will carry on his work in the world.
• Jewish history: In Acts 13:13-25, Paul recounts the history of the Jewish people, from their time in Egypt to the reign of King David, emphasizing how God has been working throughout history to bring about salvation. He also links this history to the prophecies about the coming Messiah, which have been fulfilled in Jesus.
• Humility and servant leadership: In John 13:16-20, Jesus models humility and servant leadership by washing his disciples' feet and urging them to do the same for one another. He reminds them that even the leader must be willing to serve others, and that true greatness comes from humility.

Thoughts for Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter

The readings for Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter call us to continue the missionary work of Jesus and his disciples, spreading the good news of the gospel to all corners of the world.

We see in Acts 13:13-25 and John 13:16-20 the importance of this work, and the impact it can have on the lives of those we encounter. We must be willing to journey to different places, reaching out to people from all walks of life, sharing with them the message of Jesus Christ and his saving love.

In Acts 13:13-25, we also see how God has been working throughout history to bring about salvation, culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Jewish prophecies. As Catholics, we recognize the importance of Jewish history and its significance in our faith, as it is through this history that we understand the context in which Jesus came into the world. We are called to learn from and respect this history, recognizing the deep roots of our faith in the Jewish tradition.

Finally, we are reminded of the importance of humility and servant leadership, as modeled by Jesus in John 13:16-20. As we carry out our missionary work, we must be willing to serve others, putting their needs before our own, and recognizing that true greatness comes from humility. We are called to follow Jesus' example and serve others in whatever way we can, recognizing that in doing so, we are serving him.

In conclusion, these readings invite us to consider the importance of missionary work, respect for Jewish history, and the significance of humility and servant leadership. As we continue on our journey of faith, let us keep these themes in mind, and strive to live out the call to mission, respect, and service in our daily lives.

Prayer for Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter

Dear God, as we continue on our journey of faith, may we be inspired by the example of your Son, Jesus Christ, to carry out your mission with humility and respect for all. Guide us as we seek to serve others and spread the good news of the gospel, and may our efforts bear fruit in the world. Amen.

USCCB Reflection: Obedience and Humility

A video reflection from USCCB for Thursday of the 4th Week of Easter. Every team needs more than one play in their playbook. But Satan only has one play in the playbook.