April 2024: Mass Readings and Resources

The Gospel passage for Monday in the Octave of Easter tells of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary’s encounter with the risen Jesus. Joy and hope that comes with the Resurrection. The women’s fear and confusion are replaced by a profound sense of awe and worship when they see Jesus alive again. Jesus’ words of comfort and reassurance, Do not be afraid, remind us that He is with us always, even in our most difficult and frightening moments.

The gospel for Tuesday in the Octave of Easter recounts the story of Mary Magdalene visiting the tomb of Jesus on the morning of the third day after his crucifixion, only to find it empty. She is overcome with grief and confusion until Jesus appears to her, revealing himself as the risen Lord.

The readings for Wednesday in the Octave of Easter invite us to reflect on our faith, doubt, evangelization, Eucharist, and hospitality.

The readings for Thursday in the Octave of Easter invite us to reflect on the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus in our faith. Through his resurrection, Jesus conquered death and sin, and opened the way to eternal life for all who believe in him.

The readings for Friday in the Octave of Easter invite us to reflect on the power of faith in Jesus Christ and the transformative impact of encountering his presence in our lives.

The gospel for Saturday in the Octave of Easter tells the story of Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection and his commissioning of the apostles to preach the gospel to all nations.

The readings for Divine Mercy Sunday Year B (2nd Sunday of Easter) show us that the mercy of God is given to all of us, even though we turn away again and again. Some topics for this weekend include the Sacrament of Reconciliation, forgiveness, and God’s love for us.

The Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25. This feast day commemorates the announcement of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.

The readings for Tuesday of the 2nd week of Easter provide us with insights into the nature of Christian discipleship, the importance of faith, and the virtues of charity and generosity.

In the readings for Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter, we see contrasting situations of persecution and redemption, highlighting the power of faith and the love of God. In Acts 5:17-26, the apostles are arrested for proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, and their lives are threatened. Despite the opposition they face, they remain steadfast in their faith and trust in God. In John 3:16-21, we hear of God’s ultimate act of love, as He sent His only Son to die for our sins, so that we may have eternal life through Him.

The readings for Thursday of the 2nd week of Easter highlight the significance of following God’s commands and acknowledging the authority and divinity of Jesus. They also illustrate the negative outcomes of disobeying or rejecting the truth and emphasize the importance of believing in Jesus as the means to attain eternal life. Overall, these readings emphasize the importance of being faithful to God and having trust in Jesus Christ as the way to salvation.

The readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter remind us of God’s ability to use even the smallest of offerings for His great works. In the Gospel, we see Jesus take five barley loaves and two fish, a meager amount of food, and use them to feed thousands of people. Similarly, in the first reading, we see the early Christian community giving what they could to spread the good news, and God using their offerings to bring about great growth.

The readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter highlight the importance of trust in God’s power and provision, recognizing and utilizing the gifts of others, empowering others to serve the community, delegation of tasks to better serve the community, and prioritizing the primary mission.

The readings for the 3rd Sunday in Easter encourage us to truly believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to accept his love. So faith, hope, and trust in the love of God are themes for this weekend.

In the readings for Monday of the 3rd Week of Easter, we are reminded of the importance of bearing witness to Christ through our words and actions.

St. Bernadette Soubirous was a young French girl to whom Our Lady of Lourdes appeared in a series of apparitions in 1858. Although her reports of the apparitions were initially not believed and she was ridiculed, eventually led to a shrine being built in Lourdes France. It has become a popular pilgrimage site for people seeking healing from the water in the spring there.

The readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter help us to reflect on the themes of faith, rejection, and perseverance in the face of persecution.

The readings for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter offer important insights and teachings for Catholics to reflect upon, including the early Church’s perseverance despite persecution and Jesus’ proclamation as the bread of life.

In the readings for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter, we see how the Holy Spirit leads and guides believers to encounter others and to come to faith in Jesus Christ. We also see the importance of scripture in understanding and proclaiming the gospel, and the centrality of Jesus Christ as the source of salvation and eternal life.

The readings for Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter emphasize the themes of conversion, transformation, and the power of Jesus’ message.

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

The readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year B (Good Shepherd Sunday) demonstrate that Jesus Christ cares for us as a shepherd cares for his flock. Our relationship with Jesus is a good topic for this weekend. Here are some ideas.

The readings for Monday of the 4th Week of Easter invite us to reflect on the themes of inclusion and unity in the context of our faith.

St. George, also known as George of Lydda, is a revered saint in the Christian faith. He lived in the late 3rd and early 4th century in what is now modern-day Turkey. He was a Roman soldier and is remembered for his bravery and his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. His story is one of courage and devotion, and has endured for centuries.

In the readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God’s plan for our lives, even when we face challenges and uncertainty.

St. Mark the Evangelist, the author of the Gospel of Mark, is revered in the Catholic Church for his commitment to spreading the Gospel message and founding the church in Alexandria, Egypt. His legacy serves as an inspiration for Christians to follow in his footsteps by sharing the message of Jesus Christ and living a life of service to God and others.

Reflecting on the readings for Friday of the 4th Week of Easter offers us an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the central role that Jesus Christ plays in our faith. These passages emphasize that faith in Jesus is the means of salvation and eternal life, and that there is no other way to access these gifts.

The readings for Saturday of the 4th Week of Easter offer a wealth of insights for reflection. One of the most prominent themes that emerges from these readings is the idea of perseverance.

The readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year B remind us of our dependence on God and each other. In the gospel Jesus explains that he is the vine and we must depend on him. Topics for this weekend could include community and humility.

As we reflect on the readings for Monday of the 5th week of Easter, we are called to consider our role in spreading the Gospel message.

The readings for Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter offer guidance on how to deal with struggles in our lives by reminding us of the importance of evangelizing and building up communities of faith, finding peace and comfort through faith, and resisting the temptations and attacks of the evil one through obedience to God’s will.