Second Week of Easter
11th April 2024 (Thursday)
Psalter: Week 2
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 5:27-33
In those days: When the officers had brought the apostles, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.
Psalm 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20 (R. see 7a)
R/. The lowly one called, and the Lord heard him
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Have you believed, Thomas, because you have seen me? Says the Lord; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : John 3:31-36
He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Thursday – Second Week of Easter
Guidelines: There are certainly differences in the quality of life. But these differences are not because of the differences in the degrees of intelligence or competence or affluence or influence. It is more a matter of difference in perspectives
1. Often we find a lot of differences in how people live their lives. Some live qualitatively while others live worthlessly. Some live with a higher purpose while others live with low ambitions. It is not because of different capacities or standards of living. It is all a difference in the height of perspectives.
2. In the words of Jesus in the gospel, it is all a difference between “the above” and “the below”, between the “heavenly” and the “earthly”. Those who look up to heaven, and raise themselves to the above realm, will assess things and persons from a higher perspective. They are not earth-bound but heaven-directed.
3. It is this higher motive and perspective that transforms the apostles into witnesses of the Lord. They are emboldened and empowered. They are not bothered about the punishment by the authorities for the sake of their faith. That is why they boldly defy and disobey the explicit order not to preach about Jesus Christ.
4. They had the guts to challenge the authorities. They stood firm and continued their mission in spite of opposition and persecution. It is because they were filled by the Spirit of the risen Lord. They affirm with conviction that they will never stop their witness because it is the Lord’s own mission mandate. They make it very clear, declaring, “We must obey God rather than men”.
Practice: Obedience to God was the apostles’ higher priority and not pleasing the world. In our times, where is that obedience, courage, and commitment?
