Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection May 03, 2026

04th May 2026 (Monday)

Psalter: Week 1

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Acts 14:5-18

In those days: When an attempt was made [at Iconium] by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat Paul and Barnabas and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel. Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Psalm 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16 (R. 1ab)

R/. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

R/. Alleluia

Gospel: John 14:21-26

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Daily Gospel Reflection

Monday – 5th Week of Easter

Main Point: People who truly believe in God love Him deeply and will always love Him. They listen to Him, share His words, keep His rules, and testify about Him.

1. Paul and Barnabas help a person who is hurt get better. They make him walk, even though he hasn’t been able to walk since birth. “Stand up straight and walk on your feet,” Paul told him. He then jumped up and started walking. This healing has a lot of meaning and symbolism. Believing in Jesus and following him around is like walking in the light of the Lord.

2. Their deep love and desire for God made it possible for them to be so humble and devoted. Because they loved God, they heard His word, spoke it, and did what He said. They were always in touch with God and devoted themselves to Him. This was exactly what their master, Jesus, went through and showed them how to live. He was always joined with the Holy Spirit and the Father. St. Catherine of Siena had the same kind of spirit.

3. The teachers’ job was very clear and simple: believe in the Lord and get other people to believe too; follow the way and get other people to follow it too. During this process, they face many problems. In today’s first reading from the book of Acts, we read about one such event. At Iconium, someone tried to hurt them and stone them. They didn’t give up, though. They didn’t feel scared. Instead, they go to the towns of Lycaonia to look for other opportunities.

4. Their job was a mix of success and failure, praise and blame, helping people and making them feel bad. But they always did what they could to be humble. They always knew that they were just ways for God’s kindness to reach people. They never tried to be the star. They never tried to make themselves look good. Because of this, when people are happy about the healing and try to make them gods like Zeus and Hermes, they fight them and say that God is the real power behind it all.

My Practice: Love is the only reason we have a job and a purpose. If someone loves me and keeps my word, my Father will love them, and He will send the Holy Spirit to teach them everything. We will also come live with him. Do we know this to be true and witness to this relationship?