Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection April 09, 2026

09th April 2026 (Thursday)

Psalter: Proper

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Acts 3:11-26

In those days: While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Psalm 8:2ab and 5, 6-7a, 7b-9 (R. 2ab)

R/. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name through all the earth! Or: Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

At that time: The two disciples told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marvellling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Thursday – Octave Of Easter

Main Point: We are often prevented from repenting, turning to the Lord, changing our lives, and presenting testimony to him by our ignorance or conceit.

1. The resurrected Jesus comes and says, “Peace to you!” to the apostles who were terrified and disturbed in their faith. “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” he asks them. He also demonstrates to them how to calm all of our anxieties and uncertainties.

2. For our benefit, he first displayed his bruised and injured hands and feet. He also ate meals with them. Thirdly, he made it possible for them to comprehend the Scriptures and all that occurs in accordance with them.

3. Jesus continues to bless each and every one of us, saying, “Peace be to you!” “Why are you troubled and doubting?” he asks us, particularly when we are unsettled and unsure. The same solutions are still applicable and useful today.

4. We must see and feel him directly. See and feel his love, which persevered and gave his life for us. Let him sit with us and eat with us. Let him help us comprehend the Bible and view everything in the context of God’s holy will and purposes.

5. The first reading quotes Moses as saying, “You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.” “Repent and turn again” to the Lord, as Peter urged. Lastly, bear testimony to him. “You are witnesses of these things,” Jesus commands, and Peter confirms, “We are witnesses to this.”

6. Humility is a crucial need for such an intimate feeling of calm and serenity. Peter was really modest! After Jesus cured the crippled man, people started to exalt him. However, he gives God full credit right away.

7. “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this… as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” he asks. He freely acknowledges that it is because of the power of the same Jesus that they slaughtered. What a contrast to many contemporary Christ-followers who want self-glorification!

My Practice: All families will be blessed, the Lord’s presence will provide periods of refreshment, and our sins will be erased if we just turn from our sins and turn to God.