April 2024

April 2024 is Year B in the Sunday liturgical cycle and Year 2 in the weekday cycle. See Mass readings resources for specific Sundays and feast days in for April 2024 here.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Sunday April 7, 2024

On Divine Mercy Sunday Year B, the readings show God’s endless mercy towards us. The first reading tells how early Christians shared everything, living in unity. The second reading emphasizes that loving God and obeying His commandments are signs of our faith, which conquers the world. The Gospel recounts Jesus appearing to His disciples, offering peace and the power to forgive sins, and helping Thomas overcome his doubts. Themes include God’s mercy, the balance between faith and doubt, accepting our failures, the importance of forgiveness, the role of community, and the power of generosity. These messages encourage us to embrace God’s love, forgive others, and strengthen our faith community.

3rd Sunday of Easter

Sunday April 14, 2024

The Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year B collectively emphasize repentance, forgiveness, and the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. Through Peter’s call for repentance in Acts, the assurance of Jesus as our advocate in 1 John, and the Gospel account of Jesus revealing His physical resurrection to His disciples, these readings highlight the central themes of Easter. They underscore the fulfillment of prophecy, the importance of witnessing to the resurrection, and living in obedience to God’s commands. These themes serve to deepen our understanding of the Easter message, inviting us to believe in the resurrection and embrace God’s love and mercy.

4th Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd Sunday

Sunday April 21, 2024

The 4th Sunday of Easter Year B, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, features readings that collectively underscore Jesus’ role as the Good Shepherd, His sacrificial love, and our identity as God’s beloved children. Through Peter’s declaration, and the deep love revealed in 1 John, the scripture passages illuminate our salvation through Christ, our cherished relationship with God, and the inclusivity of Jesus’ call. These readings culminate in the Gospel, where Jesus emphasizes His voluntary sacrifice and deep, personal connection with His flock, inviting us to reflect on our faith and mission within the universal Church.

5th Sunday of Easter

Sunday April 28, 2024

The 5th Sunday of Easter Year B readings highlight our essential connection to God and each other, showcasing themes of transformation, community, active love, obedience, and spiritual fruitfulness. Saul’s journey from persecutor to apostle, underlined by Barnabas’s support, exemplifies God’s transformative power and the importance of community. The second reading urges love in action and obedience to God’s commandments, reinforcing our relationship with Him. The Gospel of John emphasizes Jesus as the vine, underscoring the necessity of remaining in Him to bear fruit, symbolizing our discipleship and the glorification of God through our lives.