Readings and Reflection for April 9 Friday in the Octave of Easter

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FIRST READING
“There is no other name by which we must be saved. ” 
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:1-12)

In those days: As Peter and John were speaking to the people, [after the lame man was healed,] the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM    Ps 118:1-2 and 4.22-24.25-27ab  (R. 22)
R/. 
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Or: Alleluia.

Give praise to the LORD, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His mercy endures forever.” R.

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done,
a marvel in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice in it and be glad. R.

O Lord, grant salvation;
O Lord, grant success.
Blest is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
the Lord is God, and has given us light. R.

ALLELUIA Psalm 118:24
Alleluia. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Alleluia.

GOSPEL                                                                                               
“Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 21: 1-14)

At that time: Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
The message of the Resurrection generates faith in anyone who is ready to be converted and to change for the better, but it provokes a hostile reaction in those who are against it. We need to be receptive to the message of the Resurrection and open to the grace of the Risen Lord till it fills us with life and light and transforms us. The closeness of Christ infuses power into the Church and guides her beyond mere human possibilities. The fatigue of men, often hard and futile, becomes light and fruitful, as in the case of Peter and his companions who, at the word of the Lord, cast the net and caught an abundance of fish. Each one of us, at the trust moments of intimacy and grace, when in the light of his presence open our hearts to receive his love, knows very well “it is the Lord!”

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