Daily Mass Readings – Tuesday, 18 April 2028

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know most certainly, that God hath made both Lord and Christ, this same Jesus, whom you have crucified.

37 Now when they had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart, and said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles: What shall we do, men and brethren?

38 But Peter said to them: Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with very many other words did he testify and exhort them, saying: Save yourselves from this perverse generation.

41 They therefore that received his word, were baptized; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

R. (5b) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

4 For the word of the Lord is right, and all his works are done with faithfulness.

5 He loveth mercy and judgment; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

18 Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him: and on them that hope in his mercy.

19 To deliver their souls from death; and feed them in famine.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: for he is our helper and protector.

22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in thee.

R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

11 But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.

13 They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him.

14 When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus.

15 Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, thinking it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

16 Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master).

17 Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God.

18 Mary Magdalen cometh, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.

Mary stands at the tomb with grief and confusion, seeking the Lord she loves. She does not recognize Jesus until he speaks her name. The risen Christ meets her personally, then sends her to his brethren with the message that he is ascending to the Father. The Resurrection turns her sorrow into witness.

Peter proclaims this same Jesus as Lord and Christ, and his hearers are moved to compunction. Their question—“What shall we do?”—receives a clear answer: repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit. The risen Lord does not leave people trapped in guilt or uncertainty; he calls them into mercy, new life, and communion. The promise reaches “all that are far off,” because the goodness of the Lord fills the earth and his mercy watches over those who hope in him. We can bring our own searching and troubled hearts to Christ, listen for his voice, and respond with genuine conversion. Having received his mercy, we are given a message to share: we have encountered the Lord.

Risen Jesus, when sorrow or confusion keeps me from recognizing you, speak my name and turn my heart toward you. Grant me the grace of true repentance, and renew in me the gift of your Holy Spirit. Keep me from despair when I see my sins; lead me instead into the mercy flowing from your pierced and living heart. Strengthen my hope in the Father, whose goodness fills the earth. Make my life a faithful witness to your Resurrection, so that others may hear through me that you are alive and that your promise reaches all who seek you. Amen.